Find out how popular the first name Donshay has been for the last 23 years (from 1978 to 2000) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Donshay by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Donshay is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 70% of people named Donshay being male.

For the most recent data in 2000, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Donshay.

The history of the first name Donshay

The name Donshay is believed to have its origins in the Celtic languages spoken in ancient Britain and Ireland. The earliest recorded form of the name is thought to be "Donnsé", which is derived from the Old Irish words "donn" meaning "brown" and "séadh" meaning "jewel" or "precious stone".

One of the earliest known historical references to this name can be found in the Ogham inscriptions of Ireland, which date back to the 4th century AD. These inscriptions were written using an ancient Irish alphabet and were often used to mark the burial sites of prominent individuals. The name "Donnsé" is found on several of these inscriptions, suggesting that it was in use among the Gaelic nobility during this time period.

In the medieval period, the name appears to have evolved into the spelling "Donshay", which is thought to have been influenced by the Norman French language brought to Britain by the Norman conquerors. This spelling is found in a number of historical records from the 11th to 14th centuries, including the Domesday Book of 1086 and various monastic charters and genealogies.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Donshay was a 12th-century Irish chieftain known as Donshay Ua Conchobair, who ruled over the territory of Connacht in western Ireland. Another notable figure was Donshay Mac Lochlainn, a 13th-century king of the Northern Uí Néill dynasty, who reigned from 1241 to 1283.

In the 15th century, a Scottish nobleman named Donshay Douglas was recorded as a prominent figure in the court of King James II of Scotland. He served as a royal advisor and ambassador, and was known for his diplomatic skills in negotiating with other European powers.

Moving forward to the 16th century, a Welsh poet and bard named Donshay ap Rhys was renowned for his contributions to the preservation of Welsh language and literature. He is credited with composing numerous poems and songs that celebrated Welsh culture and heritage.

Finally, in the 17th century, there was an English explorer and adventurer named Donshay Willoughby who is believed to have been one of the first Europeans to explore parts of the Canadian Arctic and the Hudson Bay region. His expeditions and writings provided valuable information about the geography and indigenous peoples of these areas.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Donshay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Donshay, please contact us.

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