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This page is devoted to researching the Dolphins of the world. It is not the only site of its kind.
The name (a variant of Duffin, according to the Dictionary of American Family Names (OUP), is thought to mean 'Finn with a scar'). It is said that the surname was taken to Ireland at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century, and that the original beareres of the name settled in County Galway.
However, no doubt some individuals owe their surname to having landed from or served on, the various ships 'Dolphin'. And the fact that the eldest son of French monarchs was called 'the Dauphin' (Dolphin in French), from the device on his standard, may have some bearing. According to one source, the device symbolises social love.
Though seemingly rare - present bearers, on giving their names to strangers, often receive a response along the lines of 'That's a nice name, I've never heard of it before'- it is, is in fact more common than it seems. A search of births marriages and deaths rearely fails to find a Dolphin - sometimes a relative.
In the 19th and twentieth centuries some English branches of the family seem to have centred on Birmingham and London. For example, Henry Dolphin, born about 1855 in Birmingham moved to South West London, where his son, William Henry John Dolphin was born and settled. His son, Edwin Charles Dolphin, was born on 22 November 1903. All were silversmiths or metal polishers. The family is now widespread, having branches in Australia, the USA and throughout the UK.
Interested members or others are invited to contact:
alan.dolphin@yahoo.co.uk
Posted 16 Feb 2008
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