# Duncan

/ˈdəŋkən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/duncan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man, originally from Scotland.

For teachers: a masculine given name anglicised from the Scottish Gaelic Donnchadh, meaning 'brown warrior'.

- Duncan and his brother went to the park to play football.
- The historical King Duncan I of Scotland is famously portrayed as a wise and elderly monarch in Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth.

### 2. a surname

noun · CEFR A1

a family name or last name of Scottish or Irish origin.

For teachers: a common surname of Scottish and Irish origin, often functioning as a patronymic.

- Ms. Duncan is the new science teacher at our local high school.
- The Duncan family has resided in this particular region of the Scottish Highlands for several generations, according to local parish records.

## Examples

- Duncan is starting his new job on Monday morning.
- The meeting was led by Duncan, who has managed the department for over ten years.
- While the name Duncan is historically associated with Scottish royalty, it remains a popular and approachable choice for parents in the modern era across the Commonwealth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.