Surname Doonan - Meaning and Origin

Doonan: What does the surname Doonan mean?

The surname Doonan is of Irish origin. It is derived from Gaelic "O' Dubháin," where "O" means "descendant of," and "Dubhán" is a diminutive form of "Dubh," meaning "black" or "dark." So, the literal meaning is "descendant of the little dark one." However, it's important to note that the term "dark" could refer to physical characteristics like dark hair or complexion or perhaps a metaphorical darkness, denoting a mysterious or secretive nature. Like many Irish surnames, 'Doonan' indicates family kinship and lineage rooted in ancient clan structures. This surname is predominantly found in Northern Ireland, specifically County Fermanagh. Over time, due to emigration and anglicization, variations of the name such as "Downan," "Dunneen," and "Dunnion" have come into existence.

Doonan: Where does the name Doonan come from?

The surname Doonan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O' Dunain" or "Mac Dunain," meaning "descendant of Dunain," with "Dunain" being a personal name possibly related to the word "dun," meaning "fort." The name is believed to have originated in Galway, on the southern corner of County Leitrim and the northern side of County Roscommon.

While it is a last name not abundantly common, it can primarily be found where expansive Irish diaspora occurred, particularly in English-speaking countries. In the modern day, the Doonan surname is most prevalent in the United States, namely in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts due to historic Irish immigration. Other countries with a notable number of people bearing the surname Doonan include Australia, England, and Canada. While the name is still present in Ireland, it is scattered throughout the country.

Variations of the surname Doonan

The surname Doonan is predominantly Irish and has several variations and spellings due to region and translation over time. This surname is believed to be derived from the Gaelic "O'Dubhain", meaning 'descendant of Dubhan' which translates to 'little black one'.

Different variants and spellings include Dunan, Doonon, Dounan, Dunen, Duignan, Dugan, Dougan, and Doogan. O'Doonan, O'Dunane, O'Dunin, and O'Dunon are also possibilities as many Irish surnames were originally prefixed with 'O' or 'Mac'.

Surname O'Duignan was common in Connaught area and particularly centered in County Leitrim, while the Dugan or Dougan form is more frequently encountered in Ulster.

Duane and Dewan are other forms modified due to anglicization, and Doohen, Doohan or Dohen, owing much to phonetic spelling, where pronunciation led the spelling rather than any standard orthography.

Moreover, migration often resulted in various spellings and versions, highly influenced by regional accents, literacy level and cultural differences. Therefore, various English and other foreign sound-alike variants may exist.

While the primary purpose of a surname was identification, these differences now serve as clues for genealogical research. This is why each variant and spelling is important.

Famous people with the name Doonan

• Simon Doonan: British-American fashion commentator, writer, and creative director of Barneys New York for twenty-five years.
• Paul Doonan: Scottish footballer, who played as a midfielder for clubs including Greenock Morton, Falkirk, and Alloa Athletic.
• Monica Doonan: British comedienne, actress, and singer, best known for co-starring in the television series My Two Dads.
• Brian Doonan: English professional footballer, who played as a defender for clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Luton Town.
• Peter Doonan: American publishing executive and author, best known for his work with Scholastic Corporation.
• Kenneth Doonan: Former Australian politician, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Victorian state parliament from 1964 to 1985.
• Neil Doonan: Scottish football manager and coach, who previously held head coach positions with Heart of Midlothian, Aberdeen, and Partick Thistle.
• Bill Doonan: Former Irish hurler, who played senior inter-county hurling with Antrim from the mid 1950s until the early 1960s.
• Joe Doonan: English professional footballer, who played as a winger for clubs including Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers, and Notts County.
• Steve Doonan: American jazz guitarist, composer, and educator, currently serves as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University.

Other surnames

Doona