Surname Dorrian - Meaning and Origin

Dorrian: What does the surname Dorrian mean?

The last name Dorrian originates from the Gaelic language and is derived from a place name in Ireland. It is believed that the name originated from the area of Derry or Doire, which is now known as Londonderry. The name itself translates to mean “a descendant of Doire”.

In Gaelic terms, Dorian is also thought to mean 'the Stranger' or 'Foreigner' as historically the Dorrian family have been immigrants to Ireland.

Due to the migration of the family from the north-east of Ireland, the Dorrian name may also be of Scottish ancestry and is believed to be the anglicised version of the Scottish for 'son of Duncan', which originates from the gaelic name Duncain.

The earliest known recorded reference to the Dorrian name in Ireland dates back to the 15th century, with the family’s presence in the area historically traced back to two brothers; John and Peter Dorrian who sailed to Ireland from Scotland and settled down in County Derry in the 1500's.

Several members of the Dorrian family have achieved fame over the centuries such as John Dorrian, a renowned landowner and miller, as well as his grandson, Sir Patrick Lynch Dorrian who was a prominent lawyer and political campaigner in the 19th century.

The Dorrian name is ubiquitous in the modern day, with people of the surname now spread worldwide, particularly in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada and the United States of America.

Dorrian: Where does the name Dorrian come from?

The last name Dorrian is most commonly found in Ireland and UK, although it is also present in some parts of the US. In Ireland, the name is particularly common in County Cork and County Clare, as well as in Dublin where the name originates.

In the UK, Dorrian is a relatively rare surname, but can be found scattered around England, as well as across Scotland and Wales. In the US, the name is found in isolated pockets throughout the country. Many of the US Dorrians can trace their ancestry back to Irish immigrants who settled in the United States during the nineteenth century.

Today, Dorrian is still relatively rare in the United States. However, due to immigration and other factors, the name is becoming increasingly common overseas, particularly in the UK and Australia, while proportionately decreasing in Ireland.

Overall, the last name Dorrian is most commonly found in Ireland and the United Kingdom, though it can also be found in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Dorrian

The surname Dorrian is believed to have originated in Northern Ireland and is a derivative of the ancient Irish surname O'Deoradhain. It is derived from the Gaelic words "O", meaning "grandson", and "Deoradhain", meaning "fearful".

This name has several variants, spellings and surnames: Dorran, Durran, Doreen, Doran, O'Dorran, O'Durran, O'Deoradhain, O'Deorain and O'Dairean.

The spelling Dorran is the most common variation and is believed to have emerged first. Over two dozen spellings of the family name are found recorded in Northern Ireland today, including arrangements of letters such as Dorren, Dorrin and Doerin.

The surname sometimes appears as Doreen or Doran. These spellings, however, are believed to be derived from the common Christian name Dorian, an ancient Greek name first established in the 4th century BC.

The surname O'Deoradhain is a variation which relates to its Irish origin, and is sometimes translated as "Descendant of Fearadhán". The name O'Dairean or Dairean is an early version of O'Deoradhain, while O’Durran, O’Dorran, and O’Dorren, which are composed of the Irish prefix "O" meaning "grandson", and the root word “durran” which is derived from the gaelic word for “dark”.

Thus, the variants, spellings and surnames of Dorrian all have their basis in its Irish origin, showing the development of the ancient Irish language through the centuries.

Famous people with the name Dorrian

• Red Dorrian: British actor best known for his roles as Dr.Ira Gaines in 24 and Inspector Japp in Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
• Abbie Dorrian: English actress, writer, and producer who starred in Netflix TV series Safe.
• Katherine Dorrian: American celebrity hair stylist.
• David Dorrian: Former Irish footballer who played for Glentoran.
• Catherine Dorrian: Creative director, art director, writer, photographer and community builder.
• Debby Dorrian: American painter whose work focuses on expressive figuration.
• Joseph Philip Dorrian: American electrical engineer and computer scientist who invented the Logic-Tree multiple access protocol (LTMA).
• Derek Dorrian: Scottish musician and former frontman for the rock band Skids.
• Thomas Dorrian: American photographer and member of the Society of Photographic Educators.
• Graham Dorrian: British businessperson who is the managing director of organics recycling and waste management company.

Other surnames

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