Dollar - Name

Recorded as Dollard (English), Dollar, Dollard, Dallard, and Dullard (Irish), Dollar and Doller (Scottish) this is a surname of pre 7th century origins. It probably derives from the ancient word "dol" meaning conceited or proud, and in the Medieval times from about the 11th century would have been given as a nickname to one who was thought by his peer group to consider himself of a higher station in life! The name not perhaps surprisingly is quite rare although it has been recorded in the surviving church registers of the city of London since at least Elizabethan times, and almost certainly will exist in unpublished charters before that period. It may also be confused with the surname Dollar, which is of Scottish origins, from the town of Dollar, John de Doler being recorded in Edinburgh in the year1313. The meaning of the town name is uncertain but may be related to the Germanic word "daler" meaning silver, and hence the (much) later coin known as the dollar. Early recordings in London include Anne Dollard christened at St Mary Whitechapel, on August 30th 1579, and in Ireland Richard Dallard at the church of St John, the Evangelist, Dublin, on December 28th 1698, and Phillip Dullard at St John's Limerick, on December 25th 1762.