This interesting name derives from the Gaelic personal name Donald, composed of the Celtic elements "dubno" meaning "world", plus "val" might or rule. The name is particularly well recorded in Scotland, Clan Donald being a famous Highland clan. The name appears as Domnall in the Book of Deer, c. 1100. It is recorded as Dyvynwal in an old Welsh poem "Gododin" A.D. 603. One Doull Macgilleduf is mentioned in "A Genealogical Deduction of the Family of Rose of Kilravock" in the year 1502. The surname Doull or Doul is particularly well recorded in Caithness from the early 17th Century on. The christening of Jane Doul, daughter of Anthonie Doul, is entered in Wick registers on November 22nd 1713 and on December 7th 1752, one Elspeth Doul married a James Doul in Wick. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of James Doull, elder in Wick. which was dated 1623, in the "Commissariot Record of Caithness", during the reign of King James V1 of Scotland 1567 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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