Durant

Origin and Meaning Durant is a surname of French origin, deriving from the Old French word "durer" meaning "to endure" or "to last". The name was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and has since become established as a British surname.

History and Distribution The surname Durant first appeared in England in the 11th century, with records showing the presence of individuals bearing this name in various counties across the country. Over time, the surname spread to different regions of the British Isles, with several notable bearers emerging in history.

Notable Bearers

  • William James Durant (1885–1981): American historian and author known for co-authoring the highly influential "The Story of Civilization" series.
  • Nick Durant (b. 1973): British actor, known for his performances in various theatre productions and films.
  • Elizabeth Durant (1920–2005): British scientist and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of genetics.

Variants Variants of the Durant surname include Durand, Durrant, and Durrand.

Modern Significance Today, the surname Durant continues to be present in British society, with individuals bearing this name found in various professions and walks of life. The name serves as a reminder of the Norman influence on British culture and heritage.

There are approximately 2,076 people named Durant in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,081st most common surname in Britain. Around 32 in a million people in Britain are named Durant.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Ian
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Carol
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sally
  • Sandra
  • Susan

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