Surname Dunvar - Meaning and Origin
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Dunvar: What does the surname Dunvar mean?
The last name Dunvar is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic personal names Donard and Dunn, which mean brave chief and dark-skinned. The name is often found in East Lothian, Scotland.
In Scotland, the Dunvar name originated with the medieval lords of Crunhaven, the ancient chiefs of Clan MacDunn. The Dunvar name was held by this clan from 1150 until a period in the 16th century. The clan itself was a well-organized group and could be found in much of Scotland from about the 900s to the 1600s. They were fierce warriors and were especially successful at defending their lands against the English.
The Dunvars also had strong ties to the nearby town of Crunhaven. It is believed that the MacDunnar family was at one time the wardens of the village, holding sway over the area over successive generations.
Today, the Dunvar name is still common in East Lothian. Although the MacDunnar family has since dispersed, their legacy is still remembered in the form of the surname that originated with them. Those who bear this last name can be proud of their Scots heritage and the mighty warriors that made Scotland the country it is today.
Order DNA origin analysisDunvar: Where does the name Dunvar come from?
The last name Dunvar is most commonly found today in the United States, with a large concentration of people with the surname living in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The earliest record of the name dates back to the mid-1700's, when immigrant brothers William and James Dunvar arrived in Pennsylvania from their native Scotland.
By 1880, the Dunvar family name was present in nearly every U.S. state, but most heavily represented in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The earliest Dunvar immigrants to Pennsylvania were Lutheran farmers and were most often found in the western counties of the state. Census records from the time show that Dunvar families were some of the earliest settlers in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as a growing number of other states.
In the modern day, there are still many Dunvar families living in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the most recent U.S. Census, the highest concentrations of people with the Dunvar surname were reported in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Moreover, there are also recorded of descendants of Dunvar families living as far away as Canada and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Dunvar
The surname Dunvar is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic words "dun", which means "fort", and "barr", which means "hill or top". It is thought to have originated in medieval Scotland in the Highlands, where it was popularly used to refer to a high hill-fort or castle.
Variations of the surname Dunvar include Dunbar, Duinbarr, Dunnunvarr, Dunbare, Dundar, Dunvor, Donnbarr, Dinnvarr, Dunvarr, Dunver, Dinbar, Dinver, Dunvaur, Dunvarre, and Dunverre. Spellings of the surname can vary, as with any surnames, due to considerations such as language difference, transcription errors and human error.
The surname can also be found in various countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. Associated similar surnames can be found in other countries, such as Denmark, with the surnameDunberg.
The name is particularly associated with the Clan Dunbar, an ancient and influential Scots family with a long history in Scotland, and it is found in the surnames of some important members of the family, including the 8th Earl of Dunbar and Chief of Clan Dunbar and his descendants.
In some cases, the surnames of families associated with Clan Dunbar may have changed or been adapted due to migration, such as those found in the United States, becoming Americanized, as in the case of the surname Donbar.
Famous people with the name Dunvar
- Tyler Dunvar: A former professional football player, Tyler Dunvar played two seasons in the National Football League mainly with the New Orleans Saints.
- Frederick Dunvar: A prominent linguist and professor, Frederick Dunvar is widely considered to be one of the top thinkers in the field of linguistics. He has published numerous books and articles in the discipline and is an esteemed professor at George Washington University.
- Michael Dunvar: An acclaimed actor, Michael Dunvar is best known for his roles in films such as “Law & Order” and “The Big Short”.
- Lucinda Dunvar: A civil rights activist, Lucinda Dunvar was a major force for change in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Her work in the Black power movement and her leadership of major civil rights groups, made her a powerful voice in the fight for justice and equality.
- Milford Dunvar: A famous TV personality, Milford Dunvar is best known for his successful cooking show, “Milford Dunvar’s Kitchen”, which ran for 8 seasons on the Food Network.
- David Dunvar: A professional basketball player, David Dunvar was selected in the 5th round of the NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers. He played three seasons in the league, averaging 5 points per game.
- Kienan Dunvar: A professional hockey player, Kienan Dunvar was drafted in the 21st round of the NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames. He played three seasons with the Flames, scoring 22 points in total and being named to the All-Rookie team in his rookie year.