Surname Durie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Durie: What does the surname Durie mean?
The surname Durie is of Scottish origin, believed to have been derived from the town of Durie in the parish of Scoonie, Fife. The family name is historically associated with nobility and the landed gentry, with the first recorded instance of the name, in the form of "John de Durie," appearing in Scotland around the 13th-century. There are several interpretations of what the name could mean. It could come from the Gaelic term "Dabhach Urachd" meaning "portion of land", although this explanation has been disputed. Another interpretation suggests it possibly comes from French origin, the word "d'uree" meaning "of the island". A more generally accepted idea is that it stems from the Gaelic "dur" or "door", symbolically representing the gatekeeper or doorkeeper. The Durie family does hold a place in Scottish history with several members of the nobility bearing the name. Regardless of the different potential meanings, the name Durie is tied to both the location in Fife and centuries of Scottish history.
Order DNA origin analysisDurie: Where does the name Durie come from?
The surname Durie is of Scottish origin and derives from the Gaelic word 'Diùraich', which means 'people of the deer'. The name is connected to the historic area in Fife, Scotland known as Durie, which belonged to the Durie family for centuries. The earliest family seat was at Craigluscar, near Dunfermline, in the 12th century, though the most significant was Durie in the parish of Scoonie, Fife, from the late 14th century.
In the contemporary era, Durie is a common surname in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora worldwide, especially in countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, where Scottish emigration was significant. The name is less common in non-English speaking countries. Renowned bearers of the surname include Scottish law advocate Lord Durie and Australian actor Michael Duries. The Durie Family Association actively builds connections among the global Durie 'clan'.
Variations of the surname Durie
The surname Durie, originated from an ancient Scottish family from the parish of Durie in Fife. Variations of this surname include Dury, Durrie, Durray, Durey, Duray, Dure, Durry, Duury, Duurye, and Dourie. Some individuals may also have the surnames O'Durie or MacDurie reflecting Irish and Highland Scottish patronymic naming traditions. It’s also worth noting, that the surname may have additional spellings due to regional accents and phonetic spellings.
It's also common for surnames to have changed when ancestors emigrated to new countries, further twisting Duries' surname evolution. For instance, the transformation took place when moving from Scotland to English speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where the language and pronunciation rules are different.
In some cases, the surname could also have evolved differently within Scotland itself due to pronunciation changes over time or geographic differences across the country. Therefore, it's conceivable that there could be many more variants of the Durie surname that are not known or widely used today. Surnames like Deary, Derry, Dreary, Drea, and others could potentially be linked to Durie. However, these possible links would need genealogical or historical data for verification.
Famous people with the name Durie
- Bruce Durie: A Scottish genealogist, author, broadcaster, and historian known for his work in ancestral tourism.
- Eric Durie: A sportsman who has played both rugby and New Zealand football.
- Ian Durie: A British actor known for his roles in popular movies and TV shows, including Doctor Who.
- Chris Durie: An ex-footballer from New Zealand who played for New Zealand National team.
- Scott Durie: A Scottish footballer, who played as a defender for teams like East Fife and Raith Rovers.
- Jamie Durie: An Australian horticulturist and landscape designer, TV host, and producer best known for the TV show "The Outdoor Room".
- James Durie: A fictional character from the novel "The Master of Ballantrae" by Robert Louis Stevenson. Furthermore, the name Durie is associated with an influential Scottish family, the Duries of Durie in Fife, which produced several notable figures in Scottish history.