Surname Doig - Meaning and Origin
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Doig: What does the surname Doig mean?
The last name Doig is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Gille Doig," which means "son of the little lad." The term "doig" is said to be an affectionate term used to describe a young lad or a small boy in the Scottish language. The addition of the prefix "Mac," which translates to "son of," indicates a patronymic tradition where the son takes the name of the father. This name is often associated with the Scottish clan system, particularly in the Highland region. Thus, the surname Doig traditionally refers to descendents of a person known as "the little lad." As with many surnames, spellings can vary, and variations of the name Doig may include Doig, Dog, Doeg, and others. Please note that surname meanings are often subject to interpretation and there may be other meanings or origins for the Doig surname. Many Scottish surnames can also be linked to specific locations, trades, or characteristics.
Order DNA origin analysisDoig: Where does the name Doig come from?
The surname Doig is of Scottish origin, specifically from the region of Perthshire. It is derived from the personal name "Doak," which in turn comes from a diminutive of the Gaelic name "David." In Scottish Gaelic, "Mac" is a prefix meaning "son of," thus, the name can also be found as "MacDoig" or "MacDoak".
The Doig surname first appears on record in the 17th century in Perthshire. Over the centuries, through migration and diaspora, people with the Doig surname have spread around the world. Today, the surname is found in countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Notably, according to Forebears, an online surname distribution resource, it is most common in Scotland, followed by England and Australia.
Despite its distribution, the Doig surname isn't very common. The same resource ranks it at 46,274th in the world for prevalence, held by around 1 in 791,000 people globally. The largest number of individuals bearing the Doig surname reside in Scotland, making it the most common place to find this name today.
Variations of the surname Doig
The surname Doig originally comes from Scotland. It's believed to be a variant of Doak, derived from the personal name David. Doak is one of the many pet forms of the name David that were popular in the Middle Ages. Another variant is the surname Doidge, which is common in the West Country of England. Other spelling variations may include Doige, Dowg, Doyg, Doige, and Doge.
Similar sounding surnames might be Dog, Dodge, and Doogue. However, it is important to note that similar-sounding surnames may not necessarily share the same origin or meaning as the surname Doig.
The surname Doig and its variants occur with most frequency in Scotland, though over the years the name and its variations have disseminated throughout the UK and other parts of the world due to migration.
In terms of broader lineage, the Doig family name is associated with the Scottish clan Fleming, an old chieftain branch which acted as sheriffs and high sheriffs of the county of Lanark in the 14th century and beyond.
As with all surnames, the names linked to Doig could be much more exhaustive as DNA, migration, and personal circumstances can result in a range of connected names.
Famous people with the name Doig
- Peter Doig: A renowned Scottish painter, known for his colorful and abstract landscapes.
- Ivan Doig: An award-winning American author and novelist recognized for his series of books set in his native Montana.
- Jamie Doig: A former professional Scottish footballer who played for clubs like Heart of Midlothian and Raith Rovers.
- Kate Doig: An Australian actress best known for her roles in television series like 'City Homicide' and 'Neighbours.'
- Craig Doig: An English ice hockey player who has played for teams such as the Solihull Barons and Coventry Blaze.
- Gordon Doig: A renowned academic in Australia, known for his work in Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
- Christopher Doig: A New Zealand singer, vocal coach, arts manager, and sports administrator.
- Brian Doig: An Australian cricketer who played three first-class matches for Western Australia between 1961 and 1963.
- Lorna Doig: A Canadian curler from East St. Paul, Manitoba. She was a silver medalist at the 1981 and 1982 Scott Tournament of Hearts.
- John Doig: He was a Scottish footballer who was the goalkeeper for the English club Sunderland for eleven years during the late 19th century.