Doniphan. Probably an early form of Donovan. By old writers (says Lower) the name is written Dondubhan ("the brown-haired chief")—changed to Doniphan by the familiar substitution of p for b. The Doniphans of Kentucky were a strong race—lawyers, soldiers, physicians, etc. General William Nelson's mother was a Doniphan.
Joseph Doniphan came to the Fort at Boonesborough in 1777. He is said to have been the first school-teacher in Kentucky.
At the battle of Bracito, the Mexican leader of a large force called upon Colonel Doniphan (a Kentuckian) to surrender, with the alternative "no quarter."
"Surrender, or I will charge your lines!"
The answer came at once—"Charge and be damned!"
There was no surrender. The Mexicans lost.
Colonel Alexander Doniphan was a close maternal kinsman of General William Nelson, of Kentucky, and like him in many respects.
Dougles, or Dougless.
Dover, from Douvres or Dovers, Normandy. A baronet family which derived its name from a Scandinavian Dover at the conquest of Normandy, 912. Dover, Kentucky, is doubtless in the same line of descent.
Dowell, for Doel or Dol. Rivallon, Seneschal of Dol, ancestor of the Counts of Dol; connections of the du Guesclins (of France) and Stuarts (of Scotland). Passing into a Celtic environment, a Norman Dol or Dowell would naturally assume the Celtic prefix, "Mac," as in like circumstances English settlers have done. In Lord Stair's list of Macs, he gives Dowale, Douall, Dowell. McDowell is the form the name assumes in Virginia and Kentucky, one branch of the family (McDowells) being known as the McDoles, a traditional pronunciation of the name. The progenitor of the family, Colonel Samuel M. Dowell, was a Colonial leader in Virginia, and conspicuous and influential as a pioneer in Kentucky. He was President of the Convention that organized the State.