Surname Dunfee - Meaning and Origin

Dunfee: What does the surname Dunfee mean?

The surname Dunfee is of Scottish origin, primarily found in the region of Fife in Eastern Scotland. Like many Scottish surnames, it's believed to be locational or geographical, derived from an existing place name. In this case, it potentially relates to an area known as "Dunfy" or "Dunfie." The first element "Dun" is a common prefix in Scottish and Irish topography, usually signifying a hill or a fort. However, the precise meaning of "fee" is unclear but in some contexts, it might signify a payment or fee in the old sense of a feudal landholding. Therefore, it's plausible that the name Dunfee might translate to 'fort on the landholding.' As with many ancient surnames, exact meanings can be hard to determine due to the evolution and mutation of language over centuries. Importantly, family names should be considered within the cultural, historical and linguistic context they originated from.

Dunfee: Where does the name Dunfee come from?

The surname Dunfee is most commonly found in the United States today. It originated in Scotland and Ireland where it was derived from the personal name Donefe, an old Gaelic name. It is most closely associated with Pennsylvania, where it was introduced as an Americanized spelling of the Scottish name Dunfey.

In Pennsylvania, the surname Dunfee is most heavily concentrated in the Philadelphia region. Outside Pennsylvania, the surname is still quite prevalent in the states of Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Indiana.

The prevalence of the Dunfee surname outside of Pennsylvania is expected because many Dunfee families have roots in Pennsylvania. Before 1820, many Scots and Irish immigrants migrated to Pennsylvania and settled in the farming regions, such as the Cumberland and Shenang Valley.

Today, there is a large population of Dunfee's across the United States. Pennsylvania still contains the most populous region with a count of nearly 11,000 records. Other states with notable numbers of Dunfee's are California, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Overall, the surname Dunfee is well-known throughout the United States. Although it is most closely associated with its origin in Scotland and Ireland, it is still strongly tied to Pennsylvania and its rural farming regions.

Variations of the surname Dunfee

The surname Dunfee is an Anglo-Scottish or German origin surname. It is generally spelled Dunfee, Dunphy, Dunfey, Dunfie, and Dunfley. Within these variants, there are several spellings, such as Dunfey, Dumphay, and Dunfley.

The primary origin of the surname Dunfee is with the Anglo-Scots, derived from the Gaelic word “dunfhiosaigh”, which means “a strong or brave man”. The surname was also seen in Galway and Mayo, Ireland, where the early clans of the Dunfee family are thought to have originated.

In Germany, the surname Dunfee is thought to be derived from the Proto-Germanic word “dwinnf”, which means “dull” or “non-bold”. This is thought to refer to the tendency of early Dunfee families in Germany to stay out of the political scene.

Variants of the surname Dunfee can be found in countries all over the world, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. These variants include Donnofy, Dunfee, Denfee, Donfee, Denfie, Dunphy, Dunfey, Dunfie, Dunfley, and many others.

In addition to the main variants of the surname, many variants and spellings have been created over the centuries through Anglicization and regionalization. These include Donfo, Donfie, Dunford, Donnoff, and many more. Overall, there are a wide variety of spellings and variants of the surname Dunfee that can be found in different countries.

Famous people with the name Dunfee

• Allyson Dunfee: Allyson Dunfee is a professional golfer who has played on the LPGA Tour since 1997. She has won multiple professional tournaments, including the 2017 Mississippi LPGA Championship.
• McLain Dunfee: McLain Dunfee is an actor best known for his roles in The Grind (1995), Do Me a Favor (1997), and Whatever It Takes (2000).
• Donna Dunfee: Donna Dunfee is a musician, singer, and songwriter from Saline County, Arkansas. She released her debut album in 2004 and has toured throughout the Midwest and Southwest.
• Brian Dunfee: Brian Dunfee is a visual effects supervisor who has worked on a variety of projects, including The Mummy (1999), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), and The Life Aquatic (2004).
• Jerry Dunfee: Jerry Dunfee is a former professional football player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1970s. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and was voted the MVP of Super Bowl IV.
• Maury Dunfee: Maury Dunfee is a painter whose work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States. She is best known for her bold, abstract style.
• Bradley Dunfee: Bradley Dunfee was an American track and field athlete who won seven medals in the Olympic Games during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
• Rebecca Dunfee: Rebecca Dunfee is a public speaker and personal branding expert who has worked with some of the world's largest companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Walmart.
• Tom Dunfee: Tom Dunfee is an Olympic water polo player who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games. He was also a member of the U.S. National Team for several years.
• Chuck Dunfee: Chuck Dunfee is a professional bass angler who has competed in tournaments around the world. He was the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year.

Other surnames

Dunfey