Originally Posted by
Skerdilaid
Not sure, there are few versions related to their family name. They are pretty old, they were fist recorded in the 15 century and are still wholly Catholic. Some say that it means 'enemy' in Turkish and because they fiercely fought Turks when they first appeared in the Balkans they named them as such. Edith Durham recorded this version. I have also heard that they probably picked up their family name after a toponym, their main settlement within their realm. And the toponym itself 'Dushman' is of Cuman origin.