Surname Durrance - Meaning and Origin
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Durrance: What does the surname Durrance mean?
The surname Durrance is of English origin and is considered to be a locational surname. This means that the name originated from a geographical location, usually a town or village, or a prominent local feature. The Durrance surname is believed to have come from the old French word "durant" meaning "enduring".
There are also instances where the name could have been derived from "Durrant", which is again of French origin, and may refer to someone who lived by a type of tree called Durmast. This surname was often given to individuals who lived near prominent trees, as these ancient landmarks were frequently used to distinguish between people with the same personal name.
It could also mean the son of Durante, another French given name. As with many surnames, over time, the spelling and pronunciation may have changed, evolving eventually to Durrance. Variations include Durant, Durand, and Durrant.
Please note that the exact origin and meaning can vary, as surnames can have multiple origins and have evolved over time. This is often the case for British surnames with roots in the Normandy region of France.
Order DNA origin analysisDurrance: Where does the name Durrance come from?
The surname Durrance is of English origin and is believed to have originated from a geographical locality, 'at the durants', a term which often referred to a dweller at an enduring or hardy place. It falls under a substantial group of surnames that were derived from topographical features of the local physical geography, other examples include Hill, Ford, etc.
The name comes from an Old French term "Durant" which means "enduring or steadfast." Over the years, the name saw changes due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling, leading to multiple variations such as Durante, Durand, Durance and eventually, Durrance.
Today, the surname Durrance is most common in the United States, specifically in Florida, according to recent census data. There is also a slight concentration of individuals with the Durrance surname in the United Kingdom, indicating possible roots there. Despite this, it's considered a fairly uncommon last name in general.
Variations of the surname Durrance
The surname Durrance is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has several variants and probable related surnames. Variants of the surname may include: Durance, Durrans, Durans, Durran, Duran, Duhrance, and Duhran. Spellings may vary based on geographic location and regional dialects.
Other surnames with potential connection to Durrance include names like Durrant and Durant, so it is possible that these surnamed also share roots with Durrance. The surname Durant is of French origin and it has been anglicized to Durrant in Britain. Given the phonetic similarities, it is likely that these surnames have been confused or conflated over centuries, leading to the creation of the Durrance variant.
Surnames historically were created based on occupation, location, patronymic tradition or descriptive features. Surnames that emerge from the same root can often diverge greatly due to the influence of local languages and dialects. Therefore, without specific historical or genealogical research, it may be difficult to definitively state all variations or associated surnames for Durrance.
Famous people with the name Durrance
- Dick Durrance: Known as one of America's pioneering ski racers in the 1930s, he later became an acclaimed wartime and nature photographer.
- Jack Durrance: A famous American mountaineer who made several important climbs in the Teton Range during the 1930s. He was also the brother of Dick Durrance.
- Dick Durrance II: A renowned photojournalist and cinematographer in the 20th century who documented environmental and conservation initiatives for National Geographic, Time, and Life magazines. He's the son of Dick Durrance.
- David R. Durrance: A former professional basketball player who played as a point guard for teams such as the Utah Jazz and the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA.
- J.D. Durrance: A notable character in the 1990 film, 'Catchfire', played by famous actor Jodie Foster. Although not a real person, the character is well-known within the cinema world.
- Julie Durrance: An American actress known for her roles in numerous TV series and films, including "As the World Turns", "One Life to Live", and "Guiding Light".
- Jonathan Durrance: An acclaimed physicist who worked with NASA on space exploration missions.