So why for Co Down?
Co DownThe 1911 census has a Mrs Sarah Dunning aged 69, a widow married 36 years living in 29 in Harbour Road (Kilkeel, Down).
Ros Davies appears to have only one entry
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/D/DunDy.htm#dunnMrs Ann Jane DUNNING of Belfast died 11 Mar 1910; daughter of Moses & Maria Jamison; buried Raffrey Presbyterian graveyard, Killinchy MIs
No Dunning listed in Co Down Census 1901.
In 1868, Mary Lennon in her website has an entry in CO Down Belfast SHORT STRAND STREET which ran from Short Strand to Francis Street
Dunning, Alex., seaman
In early 1860s no Dunnings listed in
www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/indexCo AntrimHowever change the area to Co Antrim inc that Part of Belfast in Co Antrim and you find
In 1911 census there are a few families mainly living in woodvale area
In 1901 census the only co antrim Dunnings who were born in Co Down is a Mrs Mary Dunning
In early 1860s no Dunnings in Co Antrim In early 1860s no Dunnings listed in
www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/indexElsewhere in Ireland in 1850s-1860s listed in
www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index are 59 Dunning of which the great majority live in Co Roscommon, about 18 in Co Tipperary, 3 in Co Donegal, One in Aghadowey Co LondonDerry, One in Co Cavan, One in Co Longford
Across the water in Scotland
Ayrshire in 1841 is a family or two
Across the water in England
Liverpool is a John DUNNING B 1791 Birth County IRELAND
So first reactions is how scarce a name it is in some of the irish records, which of course might be
how the name sounded and was recorded eg PRONI has a will Letters of Administration (with the Will annexed) of the personal estate of John Dunning otherwise Denning late of Carricknashane County Donegal Farmer who died 10 November 1892 at same place were granted at Londonderry to Edward Denning of Carricknashane Farmer the Brother. That sent me back to Ros Davies for example Frederick Benson DENNING Newry son of John Denning ; aged 36 married Isabella Waddell 4 Jun 1856 CR and there I stopped, none the wiser. Good luck JimG