Surname Dunckley - Meaning and Origin
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Dunckley: What does the surname Dunckley mean?
The last name Dunckley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word "dunc", meaning "a hill or moor". This suggests that the original bearer of the name Dunckley may have lived near or on a hill or moor. The name is commonly found in English and Welsh records, and the earliest known mention of the surname is in 1273, where one Robert Duncle is recorded in the county of Berkshire in England.
The Dunckley’s were mainly farmers and landowners in the Middle Ages, and later in more urban areas they often engaged in trades related to building, such as masonry, carpentry and blacksmithing. Records show that the Dunckley’s were well established in various parts of England by the mid-13th century, and their name spread across Europe, as they moved to different countries and regions during the Great Migrations of the late 15th and 16th centuries, either as traders or settlers.
Today, Dunckley is a relatively ancient surname, which can be found in many countries around the world. Although the English form of the name has changed and diversified through the centuries, it is believed to have a shared origin with other European names such as Dunker, Dunkley, Dunklin, Dunkerley and Dunkling.
Although the origin of the name is obscure, the surname Dunckley is still connected to those early roots of a hill or moor and carries with it a sense of a connection with the land and the outdoors.
Order DNA origin analysisDunckley: Where does the name Dunckley come from?
The last name Dunckley is relatively uncommon today, with origins in England. It is most common in the England, especially in the counties of Devon and Somerset, although it can also be found in other parts of the UK, mainly in larger cities like London. It is believed to be an English habitational name derived from a place named Donckley, which is located in Devon. Additionally, it is also found in other countries in Europe, such as the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland. In the United States, the last name Dunckley is most common in New Jersey, followed by Maryland, Texas, and Illinois. The highest concentration of Dunckley families in the United States can be found in the mid-Atlantic states. According to World Names Public Profiler, nearly 4,000 people in the United States bear the last name Dunckley, concentrated mainly in New Jersey and Maryland.
Variations of the surname Dunckley
The surname Dunckley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
One such variant is Dunkley, an English occupational surname believed to have derived from the occupation of dyeing fabrics and fabrics, or a person involved in the making of wool. Other variants include Dunckle, Dungalley, Donkell, Donckley, and Donckly.
Spellings of the surname can also vary. The most common spellings of the surname are Dunckley, Dunkley, Donckley, and Dungalley. However, other spellings such as Dunkleigh, Dungally, Donkley, Dunckliff, Dunkly, and Donckly can also be found.
Surnames of the same origin as Dunckley include Duncklee, Dunckles, Dunklen, Dankle, Dankles, Dancliff, Donckel, Donckle, Donckell, Donckels, Donkelly, and Donley.
The origin of the surname is believed to be from the Old English/Anglo-Saxon personal name Dunc, which was derived from the vocabulary word dunc meaning "black". The suffix -ley, meaning "clearing in the wood or meadow", was added.
The surname Dunckley is also found in Scotland, where it is derived from the old personal name Dunke, the Scots Gaelic for "dark grey". Surnames of the same origin include Donkin, Donkyn, Dunckle, Dink, Dinkin, Dinkle, Dunk, Dunkin, and Dunkin.
In all, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as the surname Dunckley. Generally, they all share the common etymology of deriving from the occupation of dyeing or wool-making, the Old English/Anglo-Saxon personal name Dunc, or the Scots Gaelic personal name Dunke.
Famous people with the name Dunckley
- Matt Dunckley: multi-award winning investigative journalist who currently works for the ABC in Australia.
- Chris Dunckley: stand-up comedian who regularly headlines at the blue Apollo Comedy Club in New York and Las Vegas
- Edwin Dunckley: former professional AFL player who represented the Fremantle Dockers
- John Dunckley: British entrepreneur, founder of Investec Asset Management and former Chair of Aspen Pumps
- Kim Dunckley: Certified Financial Planner and President of the Institute of Financial Planning
- Landsley Dunckley: CPA and Senior Tax Consultant at Goodmans LLP
- Ashley Dunckley: guitarist and session musician, playing for some of the biggest names in pop music including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Robbie Williams
- Gary Dunckley: CEO of the Big Brother movement, a community-based program for troubled youth
- Richard Dunckley: British artist renowned for his abstract expressionist oil paintings
- Harry Dunckley: American sculptor specialising in wood and works of nature-inspired art
- James Dunckley: former Head of Motorsport at Mercedes-AMG, with a long racing career in Formula One
- Stephen Dunckley: American yacht racer, representing the US in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.