Duncan is derived from the Gaelic name Donn Cath meaning brown warrior. An early use of the name was the Abbot of Iona who died in 717, however the name became popular after King Duncan I (1010 - 1040), who was slain by MacBeth and immortalised in Shakespeare's play. The name spread and had reached the borders by the 14th C.
Notable Duncans can be found in fields as far apart as the Navy and the Arts, with Duncans making significant contributions to Politics, Medicine and exploration.
The Robertson family descend from the Duncans through Robert, brother of Duncan who fought alongside Robert the Bruce and died in 1355.
