BORN OF DARK WATERS:

The surname Douglas comes from the Gaelic words
dubh (dark) and glas (stream or water),
meaning “dark river” or “black stream.”
It is a habitational name,
 taken from places situated near such rivers
most notably the area 20 miles south of Glasgow,
which became the original stronghold
of the powerful Douglas family.

A CLAN OF LEGEND AND LOYALTY:

The Douglas name is one of the most storied in Scottish history.
Key branches include:
• The Black Douglas of Douglasdale,
heroes of Scotland’s War of Independence
• The Morton line, tied to Mary, Queen of Scots
• The House of Angus, known as the Red Douglas
• The Drumlanrig and Queensberry line,
which held prominent political and noble influence
The family bore grand titles such as
Earl of Douglas, Earl of Angus, and Earl of Forfar
proof of their enduring presence in Scottish nobility.

A NAME THAT CARRIES POWER:

Today, approximately 97,000 Americans carry the name Douglas.
From misty glens and riversides of ancient Scotland
to modern cities around the world,
Douglas remains a name of valor, leadership, and legacy
honored across generations and continents.

FAMOUS BEARERS OF THE NAME:

The Douglas name has echoed through history
carried by individuals known for courage, intellect, and influence.
Among them:

• James Douglas, known as The Good Sir James,
  a fierce supporter of Robert the Bruce in the 14th century
  
  

• Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, a key political figure
  in 16th-century Scotland
  
  

• William O. Douglas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1939–1975),
  who served longer than any other justice
  
  

• Michael Douglas, acclaimed American actor and producer
  
  

• Kirk Douglas, legendary actor of Russian-Jewish descent
  
  

• Stephen A. Douglas, U.S. Senator and political opponent
  of Abraham Lincoln in the famed 1858 debates
  
  

• Douglas MacArthur, famed U.S. General in WWII
  
  

• And although spelled differently, Frederick Douglass,
  the great 19th-century abolitionist,
  proudly chose the name inspired by a Scottish novel