Meaning and Origin of the Duggins Name and Duggins Family

Origins of Our Duggins Name

Information provided by Kathleen Everett indicates the name is of Irish origin. It appears in ancient records before the year 1100 in County Clare, Ireland.

Information gleaned from Debbie Hund regarding the origin of the name Duggins is as follows: 

"The name has been spelled Duggan, Dougan, Dugan, Dugin and Duggins. It is properly pronounced Doogan, and so called by most northern branches of the family, but in Georgia called Duggan (the u, as in "jug"). Both traditions about the origin of the family say they descended from Ireland and emigrated to America in the early 1700's. One tradition is that they descended from the "Chieftans" of Ireland, the other that they originated in Northern Ireland and were converted to Christianity and became Presbyterians by faith. When the Catholic Persecution began in Northern Ireland, the Dougans, with the rest of the clans, were driven from their homes and for a while llived in dens and caves, but finally they fled to Wales, where they lived in peace but with small opportunities. Both traditions say they came to the Carolinas and scattered all over the state. Later records seem to confirm these traditions."

According to the research of Pat Shell, other information indicates that Duggins ancestors from Ireland came from County Cork. They lived in the northern area of the Country along the Blackwater River. The very earliest Duggins settlers to America settled the James River region in Virginia 1607-1700.

Provided by Gail Duggins

Origins of Our Duggins Family

(October 1, 2002) Information from a Duggins researcher indicates that the name is English and not Irish. The name can be followed back to Redditch in the West Midlands of England, as far back as 1695, where the Duggins people were part of the sewing needle and fish hook manufacturing industry which moved to that area, most likely from London in the early to mid 1600's. It is most likely that the south east of England is the true origin of the name. The Duggins ancestors would have most likely had to pass through Ireland on the way to America. "Hello, my name is ............Duggins, I have been researching my family tree for a number of years now. I have just come across your website and feel that I need to point out a few misconceptions which seem to crop up too often in the American research.

Firstly, the name is most definitely English not related to the Irish Duggan. The name can be followed back to Redditch in the West Midlands of England as far back as 1695 where they were part of the sewing needle and fish hook manufacturing industry which moved to that area, most likely from London in the early to mid 1600's. It is most likely that the south east of England is the true origin of the name. Your ancesters would have most likely to have passed through Ireland on the way to America.

Secondly, the coat of arms that you have is for the Duggan family and does not relate to Duggins in the slightest. Unfortunately we are lowly types with no noble history to speak of. Regards, ..............";

January 3, 2003) There has been some disagreement among members of the Duggins researchers, but the mystery appears to be solved and everyone is partially correct!!!!! According to Gary Duggins, the truth is, our line comes from Ireland, some migrated to England and Wales and then some migrated to America. Some stayed in England coming from Ireland. They all wanted to get out of Ireland and away from the wars. From Gary Duggins: "I have talked to some genealogist in England and they seem to concur that the Duggins name was originally in Northern Ireland and the family was chased out by war and migrated in the late 1400's south with some crossing into Wales in the early 1500's. Neil claims to have traced his branch to Ireland in the mid 1700's with a William born in Cork county about 1751 that later migrated to England again through Wales. Bottom line, we have had a lot of people with tales but the facts all seem to support the above. With Ellick, Wife and Jr. coming to the colonies in the early 1750's and having three more sons and the American tree grew. I do find it curious about Ellick Jr. disappearing I can't help but think he must have died as an infant???? After all those were rough times and a lot of infants died as well as older children. Look at my grandfather Benjamin Warren Sr. They had 10 kids but only six lived to maturity. More later and If I come up with any solid information will pass it along. Cuz. Gary and Karen Duggins, Tacoma, WA."

(October 25, 2007) Awhile back I received an email from a Duggins descendant from Wales. He lives in England but he grew up in Wales and his family lives there. He brings up another possibility of our Duggins origins:

Mark Williams wrote: "I have suddenly become incredibly curious as to the origins of my Grandmothers surname. Her name is Clara Williams nee Duggins and she was born in 1912 in the village of Ynysbwl South Wales UK. British websites have provided very little information about this surname. What is your understanding of its origins? Do you have any pointers as to where I could start researching on this side of the pond? Kindest regards Mark Williams "Hello Mark, I am so glad to meet you!!!! Thanks for writing to me. Your e-mail holds alot of interest for me because many of us (about 50) are trying to find out where we came from accross the Atlantic. We have some people who believe we came from England and there are others who believe we originated in County Cork, Ireland. It appears that we actually began in Ireland and then moved to England during wars. From there, Ellick came to the United States in the 1700's. No one has really pinpointed things. I know there are many who would like to discuss this with you.

<markymarkmitfunkybunch@hotmail.co.uk>

 Susan: "If you would like, I will put your query on the Duggins SRC Website and then refer you to some other people who can be of more help."

"Susan, Thanks for your reply, this internet thing is a bit difficult to get your head around sometimes!!! I would be most grateful if you would put something on your website but please allow me to do a little more research first and I can then provide you with some more information. I always thought it was an unusual name but couldn't believe how difficult it was to find things on the net about it. I did a UK search which yielded virtually nothing so when I widened it I came across you.

Anyway as a result my claim to being from 100% Welsh stock has gone but at least it's still good Celtic stock from which I hail!! Any information you have would help my research. My Grandmother is still alive at 94 so at least I can get some information first hand. All I really know at present is that her family moved to South Wales from the County of Yorkshire in Northern England to work in the local coal mine. From where do your relatives hail??

Anyway thanks again Susan Kindest regards Mark"

Susan: "Hello Mark, Don't rule out that you are 100% Welsch stock yet. You may be the big clue we have been looking for to understand our heritage here in the U.S. The stories of Ireland and England, may not be true. Maybe we do descend from Wales. No one is 100% sure at this time.

Please stay in touch and let me know when you want me to add your information to our Duggins Website. I am sure there are several people who would like to be in touch with you."

**I have been in contact with Mark for quite awhile and he has not had a chance to do much research as he has had to change jobs and move etc. He does, however, give us something else to think about. His grandmother, Clara Duggins Williams, was born in Wales and says her ancestors had always been in Wales. This may be a new place to look for information about the roots of the Duggins Family.

(Nov 23, 2007.....After researching this line, I have discovered that Mark's direct line migrated from Warwick, England to Wales, many of his ancestors stayed in England. As I continue to work on this line, my guess is that we will discover that it goes back to Ireland!! See "Photographs - Descendants of Clara Duggins"

Gail Duggins:

Our Irish Roots

(Information provided by Gail Duggins Our Irish Roots: Name and Places)

Gail Duggins went to Ireland for his 68th birthday. It was a gift from his daughter, Lisa. Before going and while there, he did some research into the origins of our Duggins family. The following is his findings, including maps, pictures, photographs and articles. You can also see some of his findings and photos on the "Coat of Arms" page and "Photographs-Descendants of David Duggins Sr" 

Map of all the castles of County Cork

"Three pages of the article from the book: Castles of Co Cork by: James N. Healy, The Mercier Press, Cork and Dublin 1988. Mercier Press Limited, 4 Bridge St. Cork, 24 Lower Abbey St., Dublin. I will scan and send one page at a time. The 1st pg is a map of all the castles of Co Cork. Caher Duggan you will find by going up to 105 and across to 155."

Map of the Blackwater River Area of County Cork

"You can see where I marked the Caher Duggan Site. Also you can see where I marked the Dromagh Castle Farm where Lisa and I stayed a couple nights while touring the Mallow and Fermoy area of the Blackwater River Area. A bed & Breakfast with a castle on the grounds about 100 yrds from the house. The castle was still in pretty good shape and it has a connection to the Duggan's ancestry."

Caher Duggan Site "Top picture taken from atop the rock wall toward the West. Wall may have been part of the outworks of the castle (Bawn). Bottom picture taken toward the North. Wall or Bridge mostly covered with growth."

"1st Duggan's Contact: This was the first Duggan's Business we ran into, and by accident. We were on our way back from The Cliffs of Moher on the West Coast and made a wrong turn. Town of Castlemaine. That is my Daughter Lisa in both pictures. We talked to the owner, very friendly, was not a Duggan. He said the bar was named after a Rebel (Robin Hood Type), Jack Duggan that was from the area. Story was that he was shipped to Australia where they sent convicts and rebels. There is an Irish Pub Ballad named The Wild Colonial Boy (Jack Duggan).

"Other Duggan Businesses.

Top picture is of Duggan Construction, East Cost (Dublin).
Bottom picture Duggan's Bakery, Cork City, had to taste the goodies"

"Blackwater River Top picture is of The Duggan Bridge (Town of Kinsale). Story is that it was named in honor of a Parrish Priest that had brought industry and helped the town. Bottom picture is of the Blackwater River taken from a bridge in the middle of the town of Fermoy."

Registry of Deeds
Top picture is of Registry of Deeds (Dublin).
Bottom picture is of your cousin Gail A. DUGGINS bone diggin in the Deed Books"

From Book: Family Names of County Cork, by Diarmuid O'Murchadha

(History of fifty well-known Irish family surnames from origins to the seventeenth century.)
 

"Susan, Thought I would send the 3 pg article on Dromagh Castle because it is connected with the Duggan Ancestry. A note from the book, O'Kief Coshe Mang, stated "Anchient O'Keefe Strong Hold (Blackwater River Area) While Kings of Munster the O'Keeffe's possessed Baronies of Duhallow, Orrery "Kilmore, Condons "Clangibbon "Fermoy. (Orrery "Condons were given to Cronins "Dugans)".

Dromagh Castle Pictures. Top picture is of a picture on the wall of the house. It gives a good view of a portion of the farm and relation of house to castle. Middle picture is of farm house (B B) now.
Bottom is of B B business card

Dromagh Castle

Top picture is of National Library in Dublin.
Bottom picture is of the reading room of the library.

Below: Fleeing Ireland

(This information was sent to Gail Duggins from James Duggins. James got the information from Adelia Duggins in 1970.)