Surname Durkan - Meaning and Origin
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Durkan: What does the surname Durkan mean?
The last name Durkan is an Irish surname of hereditary nobility. It is derived from the Gaelic ‘O Donnchadha’, meaning ‘descendant of Donnchadh’. During the Middle Ages in Ireland, names such as O’Donoghue and O’Donovan came to prominence during the reign of the Ui Neill dynasty. The DURKAN surname is based off of this, with Donnchadh being an Old Irish name.
The surname likely began as a result of a territorial designation, with the family being one of the O’Donovan septs located in the western parts of County Cork, Ireland. The name may also have been used as a hereditary title, with Donnchadh being the ruling family that governed tight knit communities at a local level.
Durkan has been found all over the world. An early mention of the name is found in the Dublin Castle records of 1696. The records indicate that a Conogher furnishes was called Edward Durkan. In the 19th century, the name is recorded as being found in the townlands of Doneraile in Cork. Some members of the Durkan family emigrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, they’ve become especially prominent in states such as Massachusetts and New York.
Today, the Durkan surname is recognized as a largely Irish Celtic name. It speaks to the tenacity of the Irish people, who for centuries have kept their clan names alive despite turbulent times.
Order DNA origin analysisDurkan: Where does the name Durkan come from?
The last name Durkan is most commonly found in Ireland, especially in the county of Mayo. It is also found in counties Galway, Donegal, and Sligo. In Ireland, the name is most common around the city of Ballina which is located in western Ireland.
Durkan is an Irish surname, deriving from the old Irish name Ó Dubhchon, meaning descendant of Dubhchon. It was a popular surname for families of Gaels who lived along the River Moy and its tributaries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is most likely of a Norse-Viking origin.
The name is now quite widespread throughout Europe and the United States, with a large population of Irish Americans with the surname. In the US, the highest percentage of the population with the surname Durkan is located in New York, followed by Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey. There are even variations of the name, such as Durkhan and Durkin.
The name is also relatively popular in Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as throughout Europe, with noticeable populations in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
Variations of the surname Durkan
The surname Durkan originates from the Gaelic Ó Dúircáin, from the personal name Dúircán. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Durkan are:
Durken - Derived from the Irish Ó Dúircáin.
Durkane - This is an Irish spelling of the surname Durkan.
Dorough - This is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Dúircáin, meaning “descendant of Dúircán”.
Doherty - This Irish surname has its roots in the Gaelic Ó Dúircáin, meaning “descendant of Dúircán”.
Derrick - Derived from the Middle High German personal name Theoderic.
Derk - This surname is derived from the Middle High German personal name Theoderic.
Derigg - This is a variant of the Middle High German personal name Theoderic.
D’Urcano - This is an Italian spelling of the surname Durkan.
Duric - This is a Serbian variation of the surname Durkan.
Durkanovic - This is another Serbian variation of the surname Durkan.
Durkovic - This is yet another Serbian variation of the surname Durkan.
Durkin - This variation of the surname Durkan is derived from the Irish Ó Dúircáin.
Dorcan - This is another variation of the surname originating from the Irish Ó Dúircáin.
Durcal - This is a variation of the surname Durkan from Spain.
Famous people with the name Durkan
- Jenny Durkan: Long-time U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington best known for putting an end to the commercial marijuana industry.
- Pat Durkan: Former Superintendent of Stanford University and former President of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges in the United States.
- Martin Durkan: Irish politician and former member of the Irish Free State Senate.
- Patrick Durkan: Australian progressive rock drummer and percussionist best known for his work with bands such as Rush, Shihad, and Karnivool.
- Steve Durkan: American television producer and writer, most known for his work on the popular television shows ‘Freaks and Geeks’, ‘Shameless’, and ‘The Office’.
- Tim Durkan: Leading Australian Health Economist and Professor at the University of Adelaide.
- Megyn Durkan: Lawyer and notable Representative of the State of Washington in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012.
- Craig Durkan: Author and Carlsbad City Councilman, best known for his advocacy work in the areas of homelessness and mental health issues.
- Jason Durkan: American college football coach who has spent time with teams such as the University of Wisconsin and the University of Miami.