Donovan Surname

The surname Donovan has a rich history and is widely spread across the globe. In this article, we will delve into the origins of the surname Donovan, its meaning, variations, and distribution in different countries.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Donovan is of Irish origin and is derived from the native Gaelic O'Donnabhain, meaning 'descendant of Donnabhán'. The prefix 'O' indicates 'son of' in Gaelic, and Donnabhán is a personal name derived from the words 'donn', meaning 'brown', and 'bán', meaning 'fair' or 'white'.

The Donovans were a prominent sept in Ireland, primarily located in County Limerick. They were known for their strong leadership and military prowess, often playing significant roles in Irish history.

Variations

Over the centuries, the surname Donovan has undergone various spelling variations, depending on regional accents, dialects, and transliterations. Some common variations of the surname include O'Donovan, Donovon, and Donovin.

These variations can be traced back to different historical periods and migrations of the Donovan clan. Each variation may also indicate specific family branches or lineages within the larger Donovan clan.

Distribution

The surname Donovan has a global presence, with significant concentrations in multiple countries. According to available data, the United States has the highest incidence of the surname Donovan, followed by England, Australia, Canada, and Ireland.

United States

In the United States, the surname Donovan is particularly prevalent, with over 55,000 individuals bearing the name. The Donovan family has a strong presence in various states, with notable populations in New York, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.

England

In England, the surname Donovan is also well represented, with over 10,000 individuals carrying the name. The Donovan lineage in England has historical ties to Ireland, reflecting past migrations and connections between the two countries.

Australia

Australia has a sizeable population of individuals with the surname Donovan, with over 6,000 recorded incidences. The Donovan family in Australia has contributed to the country's cultural diversity and heritage, with roots tracing back to Irish settlers and immigrants.

Ireland

Despite being the country of origin for the surname Donovan, Ireland has a relatively smaller population of Donovans, with around 3,500 individuals bearing the name. The Donovans in Ireland have a long-standing legacy and have made significant contributions to Irish society throughout history.

Spread and Legacy

The widespread distribution of the surname Donovan across different countries reflects the historical migrations, settlements, and interactions of the Donovan family over the centuries. From Ireland to the United States, Australia, and beyond, the legacy of the Donovan name continues to thrive and evolve.

Through their achievements, traditions, and shared heritage, Donovans worldwide uphold the proud legacy of their ancestors and contribute to the rich tapestry of global culture and communities.

The surname Donovan within the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent occurs when it comes to Donovan, which as you can corroborate, it may be stated that it is a surname that may be present in most of the nations for the world. Just as you will find countries by which definitely the density of individuals with the surname Donovan is higher than far away.

The map regarding the Donovan surname

View Donovan surname map

The possibility of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Donovan on the planet, assists us a whole lot. By placing ourselves on the map, on a concrete nation, we can start to see the concrete number of individuals aided by the surname Donovan, to obtain this way the particular information of all of the Donovan as you are able to currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to know not merely where the surname Donovan comes from, but also in what way the people that are originally area of the family that bears the surname Donovan have relocated and relocated. In the same manner, you'll be able to see in which places they have settled and developed, and that's why if Donovan is our surname, it seems interesting to which other countries of the world it is possible that certain of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Donovan in the world

  1. United States United States (55889)
  2. England England (10031)
  3. Australia Australia (6338)
  4. Canada Canada (5586)
  5. Ireland Ireland (3585)
  6. South Africa South Africa (1486)
  7. Wales Wales (1428)
  8. New Zealand New Zealand (1356)
  9. British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands (439)
  10. Indonesia Indonesia (298)
  11. Scotland Scotland (224)
  12. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands (210)
  13. Vanuatu Vanuatu (158)
  14. Argentina Argentina (139)
  15. Germany Germany (125)
  16. France France (120)
  17. Russia Russia (112)
  18. Singapore Singapore (103)
  19. Spain Spain (86)
  20. Denmark Denmark (84)
  21. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (82)
  22. Nigeria Nigeria (71)
  23. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (62)
  24. Bahrain Bahrain (59)
  25. Qatar Qatar (53)
  26. Jamaica Jamaica (42)
  27. Suriname Suriname (42)
  28. Saint Lucia Saint Lucia (42)
  29. Malaysia Malaysia (40)
  30. Portugal Portugal (38)
  31. Panama Panama (35)
  32. Netherlands Netherlands (33)
  33. Botswana Botswana (33)
  34. Sweden Sweden (25)
  35. Malta Malta (24)
  36. Brazil Brazil (24)
  37. Norway Norway (18)
  38. Switzerland Switzerland (18)
  39. Mexico Mexico (17)
  40. Belgium Belgium (16)
  41. Philippines Philippines (16)
  42. India India (16)
  43. Iraq Iraq (16)
  44. Japan Japan (15)
  45. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (15)
  46. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (15)
  47. Belarus Belarus (14)
  48. Italy Italy (14)
  49. Barbados Barbados (13)
  50. China China (12)
  51. Guyana Guyana (10)
  52. Bahamas Bahamas (9)
  53. Chile Chile (9)
  54. Austria Austria (8)
  55. Cyprus Cyprus (8)
  56. Thailand Thailand (7)
  57. Guatemala Guatemala (7)
  58. Czech Republic Czech Republic (6)
  59. Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis (6)
  60. Gibraltar Gibraltar (6)
  61. Israel Israel (6)
  62. Paraguay Paraguay (5)
  63. Bulgaria Bulgaria (5)
  64. Bermuda Bermuda (5)
  65. Greece Greece (5)
  66. Poland Poland (5)
  67. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (4)
  68. Anguilla Anguilla (4)
  69. Finland Finland (4)
  70. Tajikistan Tajikistan (4)
  71. Tunisia Tunisia (4)
  72. Bangladesh Bangladesh (4)
  73. Mongolia Mongolia (4)
  74. Slovakia Slovakia (3)
  75. Peru Peru (3)
  76. South Korea South Korea (2)
  77. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (2)
  78. Ecuador Ecuador (2)
  79. Afghanistan Afghanistan (2)
  80. Taiwan Taiwan (2)
  81. Mauritius Mauritius (2)
  82. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (2)
  83. Costa Rica Costa Rica (2)
  84. Jersey Jersey (1)
  85. Romania Romania (1)
  86. Dominica Dominica (1)
  87. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (1)
  88. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (1)
  89. Estonia Estonia (1)
  90. Egypt Egypt (1)
  91. Lebanon Lebanon (1)
  92. El Salvador El Salvador (1)
  93. Liberia Liberia (1)
  94. Chad Chad (1)
  95. Fiji Fiji (1)
  96. Lithuania Lithuania (1)
  97. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  98. Aruba Aruba (1)
  99. Morocco Morocco (1)
  100. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (1)
  101. Moldova Moldova (1)
  102. Turkey Turkey (1)
  103. Madagascar Madagascar (1)
  104. Myanmar Myanmar (1)
  105. Ghana Ghana (1)
  106. Tanzania Tanzania (1)
  107. Uganda Uganda (1)
  108. Guinea Guinea (1)
  109. Brunei Brunei (1)
  110. Uruguay Uruguay (1)
  111. Uzbekistan Uzbekistan (1)
  112. Guam Guam (1)
  113. Venezuela Venezuela (1)
  114. Honduras Honduras (1)
  115. Hungary Hungary (1)
  116. Samoa Samoa (1)
  117. Pakistan Pakistan (1)
  118. Zambia Zambia (1)
  119. Colombia Colombia (1)
  120. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (1)
  121. Iceland Iceland (1)