Origins
by David Denoon
The name Denune in its variety of forms has been around at least since the
13th Century in Scotland when one Arthur de Denune was
knighted by Alexander III, King of Scots. The name belongs to families
found in the Campbell and Ross clans. They're in Campbell due to historical
references and because of the location of the village of Dunoon in Campbell
lands (on the Cowal Peninsula across the Firth of Clyde from Glasgow).
They're in Ross because it is in Ross-shire that the lands and descendants
of the Denunes of Cadbole may be found.
Since those medieval times the name Denune has remained in the background
of history, with some individuals attaining a slight degree either of notoriety
or fame, but usually only in connection with those whom they served. Denunes
of Cadbole in the 16th and 17th Centuries often were
clerics and academics. Later generations became colonists in Australia
and other lands of the British Empire. Denunes have resided in America
since 1728, and in the Caribbean since not long after (though the exact
time of arrival there is uncertain). The families in the Indian and Pacific
and those in America have come to spell the name either Denune or Denoon
and occasionally with a capital "N" beginning the second syllable, to retain
pronunciation with emphasis there.
The meaning of the name is unclear and therefore also is its origin.
In the Scots Celtic tongue the word "dun" means "fortress" or "hill," and
it would seem reasonable to speculate that "Dunoon" would mean something like
"the fortress Oon" or "Oon Hill". And indeed the ruins of
a fortified tower stand at the highest point in the village Dunoon,
overlooking the Firth of Clyde.
But what is (an) "Oon"? Linguists and etymologists, while suggesting
a variety of possible explanations (most of them abbreviations or contractions
of longer phrases), do not arrive at any certain conclusion.
Wistful
speculation
Some of us Denunes and Denoons
would like to believe that the name has a French or Norman origin.
That it started out in public records with the spelling, "Denune," fills
these folk with the thought that
roots might be found on mainland Europe. Perhaps the first British Denunes
were actually Normands invading with William's conquering army
in 1066. But there is no place-name there to match the surname, and
history does not record a noble "de Denune" or (as some would have it)
"de Nune" among those crossing the Channel to civilize Britain. As if to
taunt these hopeful ones, there are French with the surname "Denoune,"
which would be pronounced the same way we say our name.
Though we admit, measuring by world standards, those of and descended from
the families of the name Denune or Denoon (in all its variations)
have not enjoyed extraordinary achievements, the record of our lives and
times bears out the durability of the human spirit. And that is why this
site has been created: to bear witness to who we have become, sometimes
by the grace of God and sometimes (we may be embarrassed to admit) not.
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