Surname Donillson - Meaning and Origin
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Donillson: What does the surname Donillson mean?
The last name Donillson is of Germanic and English origin and is a patronymic surname, meaning “son of Donill”. This is typically an Anglicized form of the similar sounding German name “Donils”. The base Donill is shortened from the ancient and prominent personal name “Dunwulf”, which consists of two Olde English elements: “dun”, which means “hill” or “fortification”, and “wulf”, which means “wolf”. Taken together, the name means “Protected by the Hill Wolf” or “Fortified Hill Wolf”.
The name first appeared in England during the mid-13th century, during the Middle Ages. It was likely adopted by someone of Norman authority, either with direct ancestry in Germany or who admired the Germanic nobility. In medieval Germany and other regions in Europe, wolves held a special and revered place. They were feared, respected, and sometimes regarded as the guardian of families, villages, and territories. Therefore, the last name Donillson can be seen as a reminder of the courage and loyalty inherited by the early bearers of this name.
Today the last name Donillson is still widely used around the world, and those who carry it come from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Despite its ancient past, the name remains popular and has come to represent a long and proud history of courage and loyalty. The last name continues to be a source of pride for its many bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisDonillson: Where does the name Donillson come from?
The last name Donillson is most commonly seen today in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the surname Donillson is most popular in the South and Midwest with concentrations in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Illinois. In Canada, the surname Donillson is most commonly seen in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. In the United Kingdom, the surname Donillson is particularly prominent in England and Scotland.
In terms of population percentage, the most common variants of the surname Donillson are Donelson and Donaldson, although variants such as Donnelson and Donalson may also be seen. Less common variants can include Donalsen, Donalson, Donelson, Donilson, and Donilson.
The origins of the surname Donillson are thought to be predominantly of Germanic and Scandinavian roots, although the first records of the surname appeared in England as early as the 12th century. It is believed to be a patronymic surname, derived from the male given name Donald, which itself originates from the Gaelic Domhnall. This name has a variety of possible meanings including “world ruler” or “great chief”. Today, the surname Donillson is most closely associated with Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it is also found across England.
The name is said to be of “high frequency” in Scotland, suggesting a long-standing presence in the country’s history. It is also present in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, often borne by immigrants of Scottish descent.
Variations of the surname Donillson
The surname Donillson is a combination of two surnames, Don and Illson. The name is moderately common in its home countries, Ireland and Great Britain.
Variants of Donillson include Donelson, Donhilson, Donilsen, Donilson, Donilsson, Doningilson, Donngilson, Donnilson, Donnison, Donuson, Donusun, Dunnelson, and Dunnilson. Spellings of Donillson include Donilson, Donilsen, Donelison, Donelsun, Donongilson, Donneson, Donnihson, Dounelsan, and Dunslon.
Surnames of the same origin as Donillson include Donaldson, Donelson, Donauson, and Dunsmore. The name Donaldson originates from Macdonald, a Scottish and Irish clan dominating Scotland's western seaboard, having had a great presence in the islands of Skye and Islay in the 15th century. Donelson is the Anglicization of the Irish Ó DOINNGAILE, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Doinnlios," meaning "descendant of Donnleas." Donauson is a variation of the Irish Ó Donnacháin, meaning "descendant of Donnchadh" derived from the Gaelic "donn," meaning "brown haired, warrior." Lastly, Dunsmore is derived from the two Anglo-Saxon words "duns" meaning "mound" and "móre" meaning "marsh," thus forming a literal translation of "mound in the marsh."
Moreover, related surnames include Donald, Donagh, Donohoe, Donaghue, Donohue, Donahue, Donnel, and Donny. Donald is derived from the Gaelic "Domhnull", meaning "world ruler" or "world mighty," and is a Scottish/ Irish form of the Latin personal name "Dominicus." Donagh is an Irish name derived from "Donnchadh," meaning "brown-haired warrior" or similarly "chief of battle." Donohoe and Donaghue come from the Irish Ó Donnchadha, meaning "descendant of Donchadha." Donahue is an anglicised form of the Gaelic "O'Donnchadha," meaning "descendant of Donagh," however, the spelling has been anglicised to the modern day Donahue. Donnel is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "O'Donnghaile" meaning "descendant of Donnghaile" and is also the variation of Donillson. Lastly, "Donny" is an intended affectionate or demeaning form of the given name Donald.
Overall, the surname Donillson and its variants have played an important role in each of their home countries’ histories and share a connection to many other Irish and Scottish surnames.
Famous people with the name Donillson
- Donaldson Warner: US congressman from Florida
- Richard Donillson: Former professional football running back
- Leon Donillson: Pulitzer Prize winning novelist
- Robert Donillson: British actor, comedian and television presenter
- Christopher Donillson: Four-time Peabody Award winning NPR documentary producer
- Toni Donillson: Former England international footballer
- Yolanda Donillson: Former Miss USA
- Omar Donillson: 3x NBA All-Star player
- Edward Donillson Jr.: United States Senator from Arizona
- Tom Donillson: Evangelical Protestant Christian author