Surname de Gordoun - Meaning and Origin

de Gordoun: What does the surname de Gordoun mean?

The last name "de Gordoun" is of Scottish origin and it has a historical and geographical significance linked to the lands of Gordon, in Berwickshire, Scotland. The "de" in the name indicates Norman French origins, implying "from" or "of", used to denote a notable landmark in the ancestral homelands. In this case, the Gordoun family took their name from the lands that they once held as their estate. Therefore, "de Gordoun" literally means "from Gordon." Early records of the name include Richer de Gordum, recorded in the 12th century in the Early Records of Scotland, which suggests the name was used in its earliest forms for several centuries. Over the years, the name has transformed and variations include Gordon, Gordan, Gordoun and others. It's also worthy to note that several families and individuals with this surname have played significant roles in the history and formation of Britain and Scotland in particular.

de Gordoun: Where does the name de Gordoun come from?

The surname "de Gordoun" is of Scottish origin. It is a variant of the name "Gordon" and derives from the parish of Gordon in the former Berwickshire area of the Borders region of Scotland. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dating back to the early 12th Century, is shown as "de Gordun".

Gordon is believed to be a locational surname, given initially to the lairds of the lands, fields, or manors of this region, and eventually adopted by their descendants. Over time, it has evolved and been anglicized in different ways, with "de Gordoun" being just one variation among others such as de Gordon or simply Gordon.

Today, it's hard to pinpoint where the name is commonly found as a quick search did not provide exact demographics. Given its Scottish origin, those bearing this surname may be located across various parts of Scotland. It could also spread to areas of common Scottish diaspora, such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Nonetheless, the exact form "de Gordoun" is relatively rare compared to the more common "Gordon."

Variations of the surname de Gordoun

The surname de Gordoun has several variants and spellings, demonstrating its rich historical and cultural evolution. Known to have originated in Scotland, it has evolved into different versions across Scotland, England, and France.

Here are a variety of its common derivations:

- Gordon: The most popular anglicized form and a common Scottish surname.

- Gordan: A less common variant of Gordon, primarily used in Scotland and northeastern parts of England.

- Gourdon: A version of the surname used primarily in France. The prefix “de” is often dropped in the modern context.

- Gordun: A hybrid form that has been occasionally used in different parts of England.

- de Gordon: This was the original Norman-French surname that evolved into de Gordoun.

- Gordoun: This is another anglicized form of the original de Gordoun, primarily used in Scotland.

In conclusion, de Gordoun and its variants are derived from the place of Gordon, found in Berwickshire, Scotland. The name Gordon is believed to have been given to people who originated from this area. The different spellings and variants are primarily influenced by regional accents and interpretations.

Famous people with the name de Gordoun

• Duke George Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon (1770–1836)
• Marie Gordon (1900–1993), American actress
• George Gordon (1836–1927), British-Australian colonial administrator and business magnate
• Mary Gordon (1864–1945), Scottish political activist
• William Gordon (1771–1851), Scottish minister and theologian
• Thomas Gordon (1650–1745), British political theorist
• Allan Gordon (1820–1887), Canadian Lieutenant-Governor and attorney general
• Kenneth Gordon (1876–1960), British politician
• John Gordon, Lord Gordon (1711–1750), Scottish nobleman
• John Gordon (1831–1912), British-Australian politician
• Summer Gordon, American singer and musician
• Robert Gordon (1786–1853), American attorney and owner of many slaves

Other surnames

de Gordun