Motto: The Hills Forever

Although there are Dunne's in England, it is a numerous Irish name and it means “brown.” The sept predominated in the midlands and Leix where at one time they were lords of Iregan, one of the important families of Leinster. In the 12th century the chief port of Leinster was Giolla-na-Maomh-O Dunn.

Many Dunn's fled from religious prosecution Ireland in the 17th century to fight with distinction in the continental armies of the 16th and 17th centuries. These soldiers were the famous “wild geese.” During the 18th century James O'Dunne was a bishop of Ossary. He spent most of his life in France and many other religious distinguished themselves in the French army. They were very active in the Jacobite wars and afterward they immigrated to the USA where they served in the church, the law, and the army.

Charles Dunn was a famous judge in the USA. The American author Finlay Peter Dunn was of Irish descent. In Ulster the more usual form of the name is Dunn. As five time president of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland came from Scotland in the 17th century, Sir Patrick Dunn's Hospital in Dublin is a lasting memorial.

In recent years, Dunne's Stores, a country-wide chain store group, has become a household word. Dunne is among the 50 commonest surnames in Ireland today. The prefix O and Mac are seldom used.