Origin of the surname Dunnett

This most interesting surname has a number of possible origins. Firstly, it may be of Scottish locational origin from "Dunnet", a coastal parish and village on Dunnet Bay near Thurso and Dunnet Head is the most northern point of the Scottish mainland. Secondly the name may be a variant of either "Downhead", in Somerset or "Donhead" in Wiltshire, composed of the old English elements "dun-heafod", the top of the Down. Finally, the surname may have originated as a nickname for a man with dark hair or a swarthy complexion, from the old English word "dunn", dark-coloured, plus the diminutive suffix "-ett".

The surname dates back to the early 13th Century (see below), while one John de Dunheued appeared in 1246 in Sir Christopher Hatton's Book of Seals, Wiltshire. One Mary, daughter of Robert Donnett was christened on January 7th 1592 at St. Andrew's church, Holborn, London. Scottish records first mention the name in 1541 when one Sir Gilbert Dynnocht was vicar of Ardurnes. Matthew and George Dunnett of Giles, Caithness were apprehended as rebels in 1670 in the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Dunheued, which was dated 1201, The Pipe Rolls of Somerset, during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Dunnett. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname dunnett is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname dunnett, and in addition to the original locations of dunnett, we can find out where people with the surname dunnett can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of dunnett.

The surname Dunnett around the world

The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname dunnett provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname dunnett has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Dunnett

For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname dunnett, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of dunnett developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname dunnett are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname dunnett.

We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about dunnett and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname dunnett or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of dunnett.

Notable Figures Named Dunnett

Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname dunnett were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like dunnett can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname dunnett, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname dunnett who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Dunnett and its bibliographic sources

The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of dunnett are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname dunnett, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of dunnett.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of dunnett, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Dunnett