Scottish Family Names D
DAVIDSON
NAME ON MAP: CLAN DHAI (in GAELIC ) OLD COUNTY: Inverness MEANING: from David Duhb `Black David', their first chief. A 17th Century record states that the Davidsons were originally a branch of the Comyns, but that Donald Dhu of Invernahaven married the daughter of Angus MacKintosh, 6th Captain of Clan Chattan, sometime before 1350. Later authorities believe him to have been the son of the 4th captain. Rivalry between the Davidsons and the MacPhersons within Clan Chattan led to the `Battle of the Clans' at North Inch, Perth in 1396, a trial by combat before Robert III. Out of 60 combatants only 12, one a MacDhai, survived. The story was told by Sir Walter Scott in `The Fair Maid of Perth', but it must be admitted that no one has ever been quite certain which clans were involved.
DOUGLAS
NAME ON MAP: DOUGLAS OLD COUNTY: Dumfries DATE: 1298 MEANING: a territorial name, probably from Lanarkshire ‑ GOIDELIC dubhglhas `black stream'. The origins of the family are unknown; a William de Duglas is recorded between 1175‑99 and his great‑grandson William the Hardy, 1st Lord of Douglas, founded the two great branches of the family, the Black and the Red. William's son `Good Sir James' was Robert the Bruce's closest companion. By 1400 the family dominated the Lowlands and for many years it was second only to the Stewarts in power.
DRUMMOND
NAME ON MAP: DROMUND OLD COUNTY: Perth DATE: 1296 MEANING: from the place‑name Drymen, just east of Loch Lomomd (see the entry for Drummond under place‑names). After distiguishing himself at Bannockburn by strewing caltrops, or upturned spikes, in the path of the English cavalry, Malcolm Drummond was awarded land in Perthshire by Robert the Bruce and Bruce's son David II (1329‑71) married Malcolm's daughter Margaret.
DUNBAR
NAME ON MAP: see under place‑names. HISTORY: the surname was first used by descendants of Earl Gospatric, who himself claimed descent from Kenneth MacAlpine. Gospatric was created Earl of Dunbar by King Malcolm in 1072. See the entry for Dundas.
DUNCAN
NAME ON MAP: CLAN DONNACHAIDH (in GAELIC ) OLD COUNTY: Perthshire MEANING: GOIDELIC `brown warrior'. The family descended from the hereditary Abbots of Dunkeld and the name may come from Duncan son of Abbot Crinan in the 11th century. Duncan's son, Maelmare, became Earl of Atholl and his descendant Donnachadh Reamhar (`Fat Duncan') won fame leading the clan at Bannockburn. In the 15th century the clan became known as Robertson or MacRaibeirt after `Grizzled Robert' who captured the murderers of James I. See the entry for Roberston.
DUNDAS
NAME ON MAP: DUNDAS, DATE: 1296 MEANING: GOIDELIC dùn deas `hill south'. The name of the lands chartered to Helias, son of Uctred or Huctred, by Waldeve, son of Gospatric, probably in the late 12th century. Uctred and Waldeve may have been brothers, in which case the Dundas and Dunbar families were connected, a supposition supported by the fact that both carry a lion rampant on their arms. See the entry for Dunbar.
DURIE
NAME ON MAP: DURRY, DATE: 1260 MEANING: from the place‑name Durie near Leven in Fife ‑ GOIDELIC dobharach `watery place'. Duncan de Durry appeared as witness to a charter in 1260. Angus Durie, Bishop of Galloway, died 1558, was described by the religious reformer, John Knox, as so filthy that he was known as Abbot Stottikin.