Durant
A surname of Norman/French origin, ultimately from a byname meaning “enduring” or “steadfast.”
The #2,889 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 24,843 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Durant comes from the Old French personal name Durand, from Latin durandus, meaning “to be endured” or more loosely “enduring.” In medieval records it could function as a personal name, a hereditary surname, or a byname praising firmness and persistence. The same root also lies behind related forms such as Durrant and Durand.
History
The name is well attested in Norman and English medieval records, and the excerpts show it in both France/Normandy and England from the 11th to 14th centuries. English surname use was probably strengthened by Norman influence after the Conquest. Over time, spelling varied widely, with Durant, Durand, and Durrant all appearing in historical sources.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Medieval record-keepers sometimes used the form as a personal name with a complimentary sense—essentially calling someone “the enduring one.”
From the historical record
“DUPRE. Fr. D?i Pre. 'Of the IMeadow.' DURANT. DURAND. See Di.rrant. DYC DIIRBIN. DURBAN. Local— from Urbin or UrlMno, the Italian city, the birth-place of Raphael. BURDEN". 1. See Dearden. 2. An”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom