Surname Donihoo - Meaning and Origin
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Donihoo: What does the surname Donihoo mean?
The last name Donihoo is of Irish origin. However, the specific meaning of the name Donihoo is unclear as it does not appear to be a typical Irish surname, suggesting it may have been altered over time or anglicized. It is possible that it could be a variation of Irish surnames like "Donohoe," "Donohue," or "Donoghue." These names, originating from the Gaelic "Ó Donnchadha" or "Ó Donnchú," typically mean "descendant of Donnchadh." The name Donnchadh itself has roots in old Gaelic words 'donn' meaning "brown" and 'chadh' meaning "warrior". Therefore, indirectly, a possible interpretation of Donihoo could be "descendant of the brown warrior." As with all surname derivations, however, it's important to note that interpretations can vary and the exact origin may remain uncertain without personal familial historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisDonihoo: Where does the name Donihoo come from?
The last name Donihoo is relatively rare today. It has not experienced the same population growth as other common surnames. However, those who bear the name can be found across the U.S. and in countries around the world.
Most people with the last name Donihoo in the U.S. live in the Southeast. Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi each have a population of about 500 individuals with this surname, with the highest concentration of Donihoos in Florida. Furthermore, there are noticeable pockets of Donihoos in Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia. Outside of the U.S., the surname appears to have some presence in Germany, triggering speculation that the family has German roots or that Germans may have adopted the name at some point.
The last name Donihoo appears to be derived from the Gaelic first name Don(n)at. It could also be adapted from the Scottish surname McNulty, which in its turn is derived from the Gaelic word Mac an Ultaigh.
Internet searches yield limited research on the last name. There are some business owners and musicians who carry the name, hinting that the Donihoos are a resilient, hardworking, and talented group of people.
Overall, the last name Donihoo remains relatively rare and widespread at the same time. Although it is difficult to tell where the family first originated, the fact that its members are found across the world speaks of the longevity of the surname and the strength of those who bear it.
Variations of the surname Donihoo
The surname Donihoo is of English origin and is believed to be derived from a place name with the same spelling. It is believed that the original place name was derived from the Old English words dōn (hill) and hōh (spur).
Variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Donihoo include Donohew, Donoho, Donohoe, Donohoo, Donohue and Donhow. In Scotland, some affiliated lineages of the surname have adopted spellings such as Donnachaidh, Donachie, Donachy, Donachie, and Donachea.
In the United States, this surname is most common in the South and Midwest regions. The states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas have some of the highest concentrations of those bearing the Donihoo surname.
In 1881, the most common occupation for those bearing the surname Donihoo were Agricultural Labourer, General Labourer and Mason.
The 2000 United States Census reported 1,480 individuals with the last name Donihoo. It was the 14,590th most popular surname at the time, indicating an uncommon but widespread occurrence in the U.S. It is also present in Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Famous people with the name Donihoo
- Marlon Donihoo: an American YouTuber and Instagram Star known for his funny skit videos on the former platform.
- Joey Donihoo: an American Film Producer best known for his work in the 2005 film, Crash.
- Ellar Donihoo: an American Contemporary artist recognized for her work with mixed-media pieces and installations.
- Bryan Donihoo: an American Musician and producer best known for his contributions to the works of other musicians, including Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.
- Clinton Donihoo: an American Actor most widely known for his roles in the web series, 13 Reasons Why and Skylanders Academy.
- Will Donihoo: an American Politician serving in the Texas House of Representatives since 2017.
- Reed Donihoo: an American Soccer player currently playing for the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.
- Lauren Donihoo: an American Professional dancer who rose to prominence with her performances on So You Think You Can Dance.
- AJ Donihoo: an American Comedian who has been featured on shows such as Last Comic Standing, Comedy Knockout and NBC’s crowd work show, Bring the funny.
- Kelsey Donihoo: an American Interior Designer and businesswoman who runs her own design firm in Los Angeles, California.