This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Donais family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Donais Family History

Donais Surname Meaning

Altered form of French Daunay: habitational name with fused preposition d(e) ‘from’ denoting someone from Aunay, the name of several places in France, for example in Calvados, Eure, and Orne.

The placename is derived from aune ‘alder’. Compare Daunais, Doner, Doney, and Donner.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Donais family from?

You can see how Donais families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Donais family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Donais families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1871 there was 1 Donais family living in Angus. This was 100% of all the recorded Donais's in Scotland. Angus had the highest population of Donais families in 1871.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Donais surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Donais ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Donais. 34% of Donais men worked as a Laborer and 50% of Donais women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Donais were Machinist and Clerk.

View Census Data for Donais | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    34%
  • Proprietor
    10%
  • Farmer
    10%
  • Machinist
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    50%
  • Clerk
    50%

What Donais family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Donais. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Donais census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Donais

Passenger Lists

There are 467 immigration records available for the last name Donais. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Donais immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 333 military records available for the last name Donais. For the veterans among your Donais ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Donais military records

You've only scratched the surface of Donais family history

Discover More

What is the average Donais lifespan?

Between 1950 and 2004, in the United States, Donais life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Donais in 1950 was 46, and 92 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Donais

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Donais ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Donais family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial