Douglas

Douglas derives from the Scottish surname and place name Dùghlas, composed of the Gaelic elements dubh, meaning dark or black, and glais, meaning stream or river. The name originally referred to several places in Scotland, most notably a town in Lanarkshire, and was borne by the powerful medieval Clan Douglas, whose prominence helped spread it as a given name throughout Scotland and eventually the English-speaking world. It gained widespread use as a first name from the 18th century onward and saw particular popularity in the 20th century. The related feminine form Douglass is occasionally found, and the short form Doug remains commonly used today.