Find out how popular the last name Dougan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dougan.

Dougan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dougan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dougan in America

Dougan is the 9293rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dougan surname appeared 3,502 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Dougan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dougan to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dougan

The surname Dougan has its origins in Scotland, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to be a variant of the Gaelic name "Duggan," derived from the word "dubh," meaning "dark," and "gan," implying "descendant." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone with dark features or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rendered to King Edward I of England in 1296. The name "Dowgane" appears in these rolls, indicating its presence in Scotland during that period.

The Dougan surname has been associated with various regions within Scotland, particularly the western and central areas. Some historical documents mention individuals bearing this name residing in counties such as Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire.

In the 16th century, records show a John Dougan who was a prominent figure in the Scottish Reformation. He was a Protestant minister and a supporter of John Knox, playing a significant role in the religious upheaval of that time.

Another notable individual with this surname was James Dougan, a Scottish soldier who served in the British Army during the 18th century. He fought in the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and later became a respected military figure.

The Dougan surname also has ties to Ireland, where it is believed to have been introduced by Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Some Irish variants of the name include Duggan and Dugan.

In the 19th century, a notable bearer of the Dougan name was William Dougan, a Scottish-born poet and writer who lived from 1824 to 1890. He was known for his works celebrating Scottish culture and heritage.

Another prominent individual was Robert Dougan, a Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1867 to 1935. He made significant contributions to various educational and charitable organizations in the United States.

While the Dougan surname may have evolved over time, its Scottish roots and connections to words related to darkness or complexion have persisted throughout its history, making it a fascinating example of the rich tapestry of surnames found in the British Isles.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dougan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dougan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dougan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dougan has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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