Surname Dunbar - Meaning and Origin

Decoding My Ancestry: How iGENEA's DNA Test Deepened My Understanding of the Dunbar Surname

After undergoing a DNA test at iGENEA, I acquired a profound understanding of my genetic lineage, specifically my Dunbar surname. The innovative technology used in the testing, alongside the detailed breakdown of results, proved to be of exceptionally high accuracy. Further, the tests unveiled the historical influences on my lineage, providing a tangible link to my past.

T. Dunbar

Dunbar: What does the surname Dunbar mean?

The surname Dunbar is of Scottish origin and is derived from the city of Dunbar, located in East Lothian, Scotland. The name itself is made of two Gaelic words: 'dun' meaning 'fort' and 'barr' meaning 'summit' or 'top'. So, the name can be interpreted as 'fort on the summit' or 'castle on the hill', giving reference to the historical Dunbar Castle that dominated the area. This surname dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain and was given to a person who lived near this castle. The castle held strategic importance in wars and was often the center of power struggles. Over time, the name Dunbar has seen several variations in its spelling, such as Dumbar, Dunbare, and others. Despite these variations, the core etymological meaning remains the same. Today, individuals with the surname Dunbar can be found in many parts of the world, due in part to immigration and the dispersal of Scottish clans.

Dunbar: Where does the name Dunbar come from?

The surname Dunbar originates from Scotland, more specifically from the town of Dunbar in East Lothian. The place name Dunbar is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Dùn Barr,' which means 'fort on a height.' This indubitably refers to the advantageous geological position Dunbar holds with its fortress on a cliff overlooking the North Sea.

As one of the oldest Scottish surnames, its bearers have played significant roles in Scottish history including a famed lineage of the Earls of Dunbar in the medieval period. One of the most notable is Gavin Dunbar, the Archbishop of Glasgow in the 16th century.

Outside of Scotland, this name spread to other countries, often following patterns of migration. Today, it is commonly found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, where Scottish diaspora settled. It remains relatively common in Scotland and is particularly tied with the areas around the town of Dunbar and the larger Lothian region.

Variations of the surname Dunbar

Dunbar is a Scottish surname of locational origin, derived from Dunbar, a town in East Lothian, Scotland. The name "Dunbar" means "fort on the height" in Gaelic.

The Dunbar surname has undergone different spelling alterations throughout history. Some of the variations include Dunbarr, Dumbar, Donbar, and Dunbaur. These deviations may be due to regional accents and dialects or clerical errors made in the records by scribes. There are also other related surnames that may have stemmed from the same clan or family in Scotland, such as Denbar, Dnbar, Dannbar, or Dunbare.

In some cases, the surname Dunbar might also occur as a matronymic surname, meaning it's derived from the mother's given name, or as a patronymic surname, derived from the father's given name.

It is also important to note that people emigrating to other countries may have changed the spelling of Dunbar to fit in with the local culture or language, resulting in additional variations.

In genealogical research, it is best not to limit the study to the exact spelling of a surname, as variations, often in the same direct line, may yield more results.

Famous people with the name Dunbar

• Paul Laurence Dunbar: Renowned African-American poet, novelist, and playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Brettina Dunbar: Bahamian singer, songwriter and actress.
• Roxann Dawson (born Roxann Caballero, later Roxann Biggs-Dawson): American actress, producer, director, and writer known for her role as B'Elanna Torres on the television series Star Trek: Voyager.
• Alice Dunbar Nelson: African-American poet, journalist, and political activist who was married to Paul Laurence Dunbar.
• Paul Dunbar: Former Arsenal and Nottingham Forest football player from the UK.
• Kristine Dunbar: An American professional golfer.
• John Dunbar: British actor known for his roles in The Charge of the Light Brigade and Dance with a Stranger.
• William Dunbar: Late-medieval Scottish poet.
• Dunbar Brooks: Member of the Democratic Central Committee for Baltimore County.
• Sly Dunbar: Jamaican drummer, half of the prolific rhythm section, known as Sly and Robbie.
• Robert Dunbar: Writer and literary critic specializing in genre literature.
• William Duell Dunbar: An early biologist and chemist, active in California's wine industry in the 19th century.
• Mark Dunbar: Well-known meteorologist.
• Tony Dunbar:American attorney and crime novel author.
• Robin Dunbar: British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist.

Other surnames

DunbaDunbareDunbaringtonDunbarrDunbarre