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Re: Is "ban" a suffix with a meaning?
Apparently it's a very uncommon surname as well, so it might be inspired by that, although an alteration of Duncan seems more likely.https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=dunbanIt seems like this source also doesn't have an explanation for the meaning unfortunately.
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Should have been under OP - sorry!I searched this site for Donalbain, and found this: user-submitted, but no guarantees.Anglicized form of Gaelic Domnall Bán meaning "Domnall the Fair", a nickname of Donald III, King of Scots, the second known son of Duncan I. This was the form used by Shakespeare in his tragic play 'Macbeth' (1606) for a character based on the historical figure, who allegorically represents moral order.
This clearly supports what Pie said about the meaning being "white", but since it's also said to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, it presumably isn't a suffix as such either.And, for what it's worth, in the play Donalbain has about three lines and could, on the evidence, allegorically represent moral order, moral turpitude or carpet cleaner. His brother Malcolm is a far more rounded character.

This message was edited 11/12/2018, 7:44 AM

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