Duncan
A Scottish surname from a Gaelic personal name meaning “brown-haired warrior” or “dark chief,” originally used as a given name before becoming hereditary.
The #212 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,284 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Duncan comes from an old Gaelic personal name, usually explained as Donnchadh. Older references gloss it as “brown head” or “brown-haired,” from Gaelic elements meaning dark or brown plus a personal-name ending. It began as a given name in Scotland and later became a hereditary surname, often used in patronymic forms such as Mac Dhonnchaidh.
History
Duncan is long associated with Scotland and appears early as a personal name before the surname became fixed. It is well known from medieval Scottish history through King Duncan I, whose name helped keep the form familiar across the centuries. In English-speaking countries the surname also generated shortened or altered forms such as Dunkin and Donkin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The medieval Scottish kings helped make Duncan one of the best-known early Gaelic personal names in Britain.
From the historical record
“soon afterwards. DUNCAN". The Gael. Donn-cann (pro- nounced Doun-kean,) signifying " Brown- head." Originally and still a Christian name. DUXCANSON. See Duncan. DUNCH. Deaf; dull. "I waz amozt blind and dunch in mine eyez." HaUiweU.”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom