Dunn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland-Alt
Scotland

Etymology of Dunn

What does the name Dunn mean?

Hundreds of years ago, the Gaelic name used by the Dunn family in Ireland was Ó Duinn or Ó Doinn. Both Gaelic names are derived from the Gaelic word donn, which means brown. Ó Doinn is the genitive case of donn. 1

Early Origins of the Dunn family

The surname Dunn was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster. The family was descended from O'Rigain one of the ancient "Four Tribes of Tara" in the Kingdom of Meath, now the county of Meath. The Kings of Meath in turn traced their regal history back to the Heremon Kings.

Early History of the Dunn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunn research. Another 291 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1268, 1642, 1651, 1691, 1692, 1695, 1700, 1713, 1733 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Dunn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunn Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Dunn include Dunn, Dunne, Dun, O'Dunne, O'Doyne, Doine, Doin, O'Dunn and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunn family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dunn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunn World Ranking

the United States, the name Dunn is the 160^th most popular surname with an estimated 144,246 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Dunn is ranked the 280^th most popular surname with an estimated 15,317 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Dunn is the 906^th popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Dunn as 535^th with 86 people. 5 Australia ranks Dunn as 109^th with 24,544 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Dunn as 120^th with 3,699 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Dunn as 150^th with 34,722 people. 8

Dunn migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Dunn:

Dunn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Dunn, aged 14, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Falcon" 10
Jo Dunn, (Dunnell), aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 10
Thomas Dunn who settled in Wymouth, Massachusetts in 1647
Robert Dunn, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 10
Pascho Dunn, who landed in Maryland in 1652 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Richard Dunn, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 10
William Dunn, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1711 10
William Dunn, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 10
William Dunn, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1720 10
Arthur Dunn, who settled in Maryland in 1723
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adm Dunn, aged 30, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 10
James Dunn, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 10
Michael Dunn, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 10
William Dunn, aged 30, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1805 10
Joseph Dunn, aged 72, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Richard Dunn, (b. 1868), aged 35, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Aurania" arriving at Ellis, Island New York on 8th October 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 11
Mr. Richard Dunn, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish compositor travelling aboard the ship "Aurania" arriving at Ellis, Island New York on 8th October 1903 en route to Yalesville, Connecticut, USA 11

Dunn migration to Canada +

Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Daniel Dunn, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Danl Dunn, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ms. Margaret Dunn U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harboutr, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 12
Ms. Mary Dunn U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harboutr, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 12
Ms. Rebecca Dunn U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harboutr, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Dunn, who landed in Halifax or New York in 1811
Peter Dunn, who landed in Canada in 1812
Peter Dunn, aged 24, who landed in Canada in 1812
Thomas Dunn, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1822
James Dunn, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1827
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Mr. Philip H. Dunn, (b. 1885), aged 18, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis, Island New York on 29th August 1903 en route to Toronto, Ontatio, Canada 11

Dunn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Michael Dunn, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. Michael Dunn, (1769 - 1829), aged 21, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing liquor, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Dunn Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Edward Dunn, (b. 1769), aged 24, Irish labourer who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Richard Dunn, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Dunn, Irish settler who was convicted in Ireland for life for political prisoner, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Michael Dunn, Irish clerk who was convicted in Ireland for 5 years for riotous conduct, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15

Dunn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Fenton Dunn, Irish convict who was convicted in Queen's County, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Elizabeth Dunn, British settler who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Dunn, (b. 1768), aged 37, British labourer who was convicted in Leicestershire, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Dunn, (b. 1773), aged 36, Irish labourer who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for 7 years , transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1840 17
Mr. Peter Dunn, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dunn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Dunn, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
J Dunn, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Henry M Dunn, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
James Dunn, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Lady Nugent
James Dunn, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dunn migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Dunn Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Miss Dunn, who settled in Barbados in 1774

Contemporary Notables of the name Dunn (post 1700) +

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn (1927-2024), American businessman and politician
Priscilla Dunn (1943-2024), American politician
William N. Dunn (1938-2022), American scholar and professor of international relations at University of Pittsburgh
Joseph Levi "Joe Lee" Dunn (1946-2021), American football coach and player, known for coaching from the sidelines, seldom using a headset or carrying playsheets
Donald G. Dunn (1923-2021), American U.S. Army veteran of World War II and founder of Plaskolite LLC,; for his heroism, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart
Stephen Elliot Dunn (1939-2021), American poet and educator who authored fifteen collections of poetry; he won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 2001 collection, Different Hours
J. Michael Dunn (1941-2021), American philosopher, Oscar Ewing Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Professor Emeritus of Informatics and Computer Science
Colton Dunn (b. 1977), American comedian, actor, writer, and producer, best known for his role as Garrett on the NBC workplace comedy Superstore (2015–2021)
Martin John Dunn (1956-2020), American lawyer and politician who served as Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Dunn family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Dunn, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 19
Mrs. Jane Dunn (1866-1914), née Elliott Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Master William P. H. Dunn (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Mrs. Emily Dunn (1863-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mr. W. Philip Dunn (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
... (Another 10 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Dunn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mullach a-bu
Motto Translation: Victory for the Dunns. Note: other motto spellings include: Mullach a boo, Mullac Abu

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance