Surname Deuchar - Meaning and Origin
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Deuchar: What does the surname Deuchar mean?
The last name Deuchar is a Scottish surname originating in a place of that name. The place is thought to have been located in the present-day county of West Lothian, Scotland. The name is thought to derive from the Gaelic duchar, meaning ‘plain’ or ‘lowland’.
Deuchar likely began as a clan settlement in the Middle Ages. It was probably established at the same time the region was devolved into earldoms and shires by King David I in the year 1160. Its first recorded appearance is in a document known as the Ragman Roll of Scotland, which dates to 1296.
In its original form, the surname was most likely rendered as Duchar or Dochar. It didn't necessarily always represent a family clan or hereditary clan, such as the Deuchars of Scotland's Borders region. It could also denote an individual's self-designation due to geography or physical traits.
Throughout the centuries, the Deuchar surname has had varying levels of prominence in Scotland. Some members of the Deuchar family have come to distinction through their political and social influence, while others have achieved fame through their contribution to music, literature and art. Whatever the case, the Deuchar name is undoubtedly rooted in Scotland's long and celebrated history.
Order DNA origin analysisDeuchar: Where does the name Deuchar come from?
The last name Deuchar is most commonly found today in Scotland, though there may be pockets in other countries including England, Canada, and the United States.
The last name Deuchar has its origins in the Lowlands area of Scotland's Borders region. Primarily, it was prominent in both Midlothian and West Lothian. Today, there is a place called Deuchar Hill in the Northwest of West Lothian.
The roots of the last name Deuchar are thought to stem from one of two sources; either a local court or a pronounced "dew-gher" which is old Scots for "doorkeeper," a likely reference to a doorman of a court.
The name began to spread to other parts of Scotland and then beyond with the Scottish diaspora that occurred in the 18th century and has been found in England, Canada, and the United States. It can also be seen in other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Germany.
The name is still quite prevalent in Scotland, though its popularity is decreasing. In modern times, it can be difficult to trace the lasting legacy of a name like Deuchar. However, it is likely that there are still carriers of this surname living in Scotland and beyond.
Variations of the surname Deuchar
The surname Deuchar can be spelt in numerous ways, including Deuchars, Duchar, Deuchar, Duchars, Duchairs, Duchairds, and Doochar. It is a surname of Scottish origin. Its roots go back to the medieval times, when families began taking on hereditary surnames.
The word 'Deuchar' itself derives from the Gaelic 'dughachar', meaning a 'doorkeeper'. Doorkeepers were responsible for the overseeing, management and maintenance of a household in medieval Scotland. The people who took on this role were given the Deuchar surname, which was passed down through their descendants.
The etymology of the surname has been linked to another Scottish surname, Duchar. This surname is an anglicisation of the Gaelic word Dughachar, which again denotes a doorkeeper.
Although it is possible to trace the origins of the surname to Scotland, many people with the name Deuchar have since migrated. In Britain, the surname is most common in Scotland and Northern England, whereas elsewhere in Europe, the name is relatively scarce. Most Deuchar’s in Europe are descendants of emigrants from Scotland.
In the United States, the surname is most numerous in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and California. It is also present in other parts of the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
Regardless of geographical location, the Deuchar surname has one universal meaning – ‘doorkeeper’. This is a testament to the generations of their ancestors who held these positions in Scotland centuries ago.
Famous people with the name Deuchar
- Samuel Deuchar: English folk musician and publisher
- Mary Hamilton Deuchar: Canadian educator
- Margaret J. Deuchar: an American medical doctor
- Thomas Deuchar: British geographer
- Herbert Deuchar: English first-class cricketer
- Robert Deuchar: Scottish landscape painter
- James Deuchar: a Scottish scientific instrument maker
- Kelvin Deuchar: Scottish football manager
- Carmen Deuchar: English author
- Harry Deuchar: English operatic tenor
- Jeffrey Deuchar: Canadian-American biophysicist
- Andrew Deuchar: a composer and conductor
- Peter Deuchar: a British-Canadian artist and environmental activist
- Peter Deuchar Jr.: a painter, printmaker, and projection artist
- Lorna Deuchar: a British receptionist, author, and Presbyterian elder
- Vivian Deuchar: Scottish orchestral conductor and music educator