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Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources

Donald m. Proto-Celtic *dumno- 'world' + Proto-Celtic *val 'rule'.

The name of a 7th C king of Dál Riata, a 7th C high king of Ireland, an 8th C Irish saint, an 8th C high king of Ireland, two 9th C kings of the Picts, and 11th C king of the Scots, and an 11th-12th C high king of Ireland.

This name has historically always been one of the most popular names in Ireland.

Scotland
Latin
1093x1097 Douenald (nom) ESC XIII; 1272x1360 Donaldo (abl) CartStAndrew p. 3, Donaldus (nom) ibid. p. 3; 1376 Donaldi (gen) morton-vol1 16, Donaldo (dat) ibid. 16
Cite as: S.L. Uckelman. "Donald". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2015, no. 2. http://dmnes.org/2015/2/name/Donald.