Dawnay Family History

From one of the many places in northern France named for an alder grove (Old French aulnai aulnoi latinized as alnetum), such as Annay (Pas-de-Calais), Aulnay (Aube, Marne, Calvados), Aulnois (Aisne), and Aunay (Calvados, Eure-et-Loir, Seine-et-Oise).

With the fused preposition, Anglo-Norman French d'Aunai became Dawnay, Dawney, and (with loss of the final syllable) Dawn.

Laney is another form of this surname with a fused definite article.

See also Dando, from Anglo-Norman French d'Aunou, with which d'Aunai may sometimes have been confused.