The surname ‘Duke’ originates from England. It is derived from the nickname for someone who gave himself airs and graces, from the Middle English word ‘duk(e) duke (from the Old Flemish word ‘duc’, itself from the Latin word ‘dux’, a genesis of ‘ducis’, meaning leader, a derivative of ‘ducere’ meaning to lead), or else an occupational name for a servant employed in a ducal household. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive’s has confirmed that the surname ‘Duke’ and or it’s variant’s, dates as far back as the fourteenth century were a ‘Johannes Duke’, from the county of Yorkshire, England, is recorded on Poll Tax records 1379. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘John Duke’, aged 25, a farmer by trade, from the county of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to North America in 1774 to seek better employment, sailing from the Port of Scarborough aboard an…
Coat of arms: Azure a chevron between three birds close…