Surname Done - Meaning and Origin

Done: What does the surname Done mean?

The surname Done is of Anglo-Saxon and Irish origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Dunn," meaning "dark" or "dark colored". The name is said to have been attributed to individuals with dark hair or complexions. Another theory suggests that it may have been adopted as a nickname for someone considered to be "steadfast" and "strong", as the word "done" in Old English implied having achieved or accomplished something. Furthermore, the surname may also denote a geographical origin, implying a person from any of the various places named Done, Don or Donne in the United Kingdom. In Ireland, the surname Done is often linked to the O‘Donn or Dunne clans originally from Leinster, where they've held significant territorial possessions since the 12th century.

Done: Where does the name Done come from?

The surname Done is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the ancient English personal name Dunn, which means 'dark-colored'. This was a descriptive name typically given to individuals with dark hair or complexions. The surname Done dates back to the early medieval period in England. Variations of the name include Donne, Dunne, and Doney among others.

The Done name proliferated in England and Ireland, where it was adopted by different families before gradually spreading across other English-speaking nations. Notably, the Dunne or Done family of Ireland is one of that country's historic dynasties, producing many significant historical figures.

Today, the surname Done remains prevalent in England, particularly in the northern regions. It is also not uncommon in Ireland and the United States. Though distributed globally, it is concentrated more densely in English-speaking countries due to historical migration patterns. The Done surname is a relatively rare name compared to other surnames in global terms.

Variations of the surname Done

The surname Done has numerous variants and similar surnames which could possibly share the same origin. Some of them might have developed due to regional accents, migration, or simply transcription errors.

The most popular variants of the surname Done include Donne, Dones, Dun, Dunn, Dunning, and Dune. A person having the name Done could also be related to someone bearing the surname Doan, Doane, or Doane's, as these surnames have similar phonetics.

Notably, the surname Done is considered by some to be a variation of the Irish surname Dunne, which has its roots in the Gaelic "O’Duinn" or "O’Doinn" meaning "descendant of Donn". The Gaelic Donn signifies "brown" and was a byname used to refer to someone with brown hair or a swarthy complexion.

Moreover, the Welsh surname Dunn and Scottish surnames Dune or Dun might be related to Done as well.

However, it's important to remember that connections between surnames can be complicated due to factors like migration, cultural blending, and changes in spoken and written language over centuries. Therefore, it's best to verify any suspected links through genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Done

• Ryan Done: A well-known American cinematographer known for his work in movies like "Mythica: The Godslayer", "War Pigs", and "The Christmas Dragon".
• Ken Done: A renowned Australian artist whose brightly colored, optimistic images have become part of Australia's cultural identity.
• Andrew Done: Known for his work as a special effects professional in Hollywood. He has worked on several popular movies including "Volcano", "The Day After Tomorrow", and "The X Files".
• Julie Ann Emery Done: An accomplished actress from America, praised for her roles in "Better Call Saul", "Fargo", and "Preacher".
• Michael Done: An accomplished writer, known for successful works like "Blossom Culp and the Sleep of Death".
• Don Done: A former Australian sportsman who played in the Australian Football League.
• Dr. Jason Done: A notable actor known for his roles in "Waterloo Road" and "Merlin".
• Bill Done: A former Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Nick Done: An Australian actor who appeared in "The Beach", "Pacific Rim: Uprising", and "Independence Day: Resurgence".
• Jason Done: This British actor is known for his role as Mordred in the BBC drama series Merlin.

Other surnames

DonDonachieDonachyDonadtDonaghueDonaghyDonahoDonahoeDonahooDonahueDonaldDonaldsonDonartyDonateDonathDonatiDonatinDonatiusDonatoDonattDonatusDoncheDondonDöneckeDoneganDonehooDonehueDönekeDonelan