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Show ContentsDavid History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The rich and ancient history of the David family name dates back to the time when France was immersed in the Dark Ages. This Breton name is derived from the popular given name David, which means beloved. The name was also often used as a nickname for a sergeant. 1

Early Origins of the David family

The surname David was first found in Brittany, where this family was recorded in ancient times.

The name was also found with multiple noble families in diverse parts of the western regions of France. A branch formed in Orleans, the Davids of Conflans, who were mentioned three times in the Armorial of 1696, and who received testimony from the military schools. Another branch, the Davids of Perdreauville, in the county of Montfort-l'Amaury, known since 1400, contributed pages to the King and Queen and three ladies of Saint-Cyr.

The Davids of Fief, in the province of Aunis, reaffirmed their title of nobility in 1672. In the Armorial of 1696, there are also two records of the name in the city of La Rochelle, eight in Tours, nineteen in Poitou, fourteen in Normandy, six in the generality of Alençon, and seven in Caen. Many branches of the name Davy were found in Anjou, Brittany, and Normandy. 2

Jacques David, born in 1631, son of Blaise and Flavie (née Morel), settled in New France in the 17th century. He married Marie Grandin, born in 1646, daughter of Claude and Jeanne (née Tousain), at Château-Richer, Quebec on 29th August 1662. 3

Early History of the David family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our David research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1354, 1380, 1427, 1441, 1460, 1510, 1523, 1535, 1579, 1668, 1670, 1672 and 1810 are included under the topic Early David History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

David Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name David is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include David, Davy, Davis, Daviaud, Davion, Daviot, Davioud, Davidou, Davin, Davinet, Davinroy, Davet, Davier and many more.

Early Notables of the David family

Notable amongst this name at this time was

  • Gerhard David (c. 1460-1523), Flemish painter; and Ferenc Dávid (Francis David) (c.1510-1579), a Transylvanian Nontrinitarian and Unitarian preacher, the founder of the Unitarian Church of Transylvani...
  • Félicien David was "one of the most prominent of French composers, was born March 8 [App. p.608 "April 13"], 1810, at Cadenet, in the south of France. His father was an accomplished musical amateur, a...

David World Ranking

In the United States, the name David is the 873rd most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name David is ranked the 436th most popular surname with an estimated 10,811 people with that name. 5 And in Quebec, Canada, the name David is the 383rd popular surname. 6 France ranks David as 16th with 61,762 people. 7 Australia ranks David as 549th with 7,035 people. 8 New Zealand ranks David as 770th with 948 people. 9

United States David migration to the United States +

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name David has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name David were

David Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Roger David, who landed in Virginia in 1622 10
  • Mr. George David, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 11
  • John David, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Jon David, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 10
  • Howell David, who landed in Virginia in 1637 aboard the ship "Tristram and Jane" 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard David, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 10
  • James David, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 10
  • Henry David, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 10
  • Jennet David, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 10
  • Elizabeth David, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas David, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
  • Jacob David, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 10
  • Peter Oliver David, who arrived in New York in 1806 10
  • John David, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1812 10
  • George David, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada David migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

David Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Frs David, who landed in Canada in 1632-1760
  • Mr. René David, (b. 1910), aged 32, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 7th April 1642 12
  • Claude David was married in 1649 in Quebec
  • Michel David, son of Claude and Suzanne, who married Françoise Raclos, daughter of Idebon and Marie, in Quebec on 2nd December 1671 13
  • Mr. René David, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 13th March 1679 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Jean David, son of Michel and Françoise, who married Marie-Anne Deshaies-Saint-Cyr, daughter of Pierre and Marguerite, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade on 15th November 1713 13
  • Jacques David, son of Paul and Marie, who married Marie-Louise Normandin, daughter of Laurent and Marie-Anne, in Quebec on 17th September 1715 13
  • Jacques David, son of Jacques and Catherine, who married Madeleine Dagenais, daughter of Pierre and Marie, in Montreal, Quebec on 22nd June 1716 13
  • Joseph David, son of Jacques and Catherine, who married Marie Moneau, daughter of Michel-Jean and Marie, in Boucherville, Quebec on 7th January 1717 13
  • René David, son of Michel and Françoise, who married Marie-Josephte Quay, daughter of Louis and Marthe, in Verchères, Quebec on 24th January 1719 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Heinrich David, who landed in Canada in 1800

Australia David migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

David Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Jeremiah David, British convict who was convicted in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 14
  • Miss Martha Daniel David, Welsh convict who was convicted in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales for life for larceny, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1852 15
  • Griffith David, Welsh convict from Glamorgan, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. David Harley, (b. 1809), aged 18, British convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Asia IV" on 25th July 1827, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • Mr. John David, (b. 1804), aged 26, Welsh ploughman who was convicted in Glamorganshire, Wales for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand David migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

David Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • M. David, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of the Deep" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1854 19
  • Mr. George David, (b. 1832), aged 30, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 20
  • Mrs. Matilda David, (b. 1832), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 20
  • Samuel N. David, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ernestina" in 1865
  • Mr. Constant V David, (b. 1854), aged 20, French farm labourer from France travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 19

West Indies David migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
David Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Lewes David, aged 28, who landed in Barbados in 1635 10
  • Mr. Lewes David, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22

Contemporary Notables of the name David (post 1700) +

  • Catherine David (1949-2023), born Catherine Gradwohl, a Franco-American novelist, essayist and literary critic
  • Kal David (1943-2022), stage name of David Raskin, an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois
  • Harold Lane "Hal" David (1921-2012), American lyricist, probably best known for his hits "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "This Guy's in Love with You" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
  • Lieutenant Albert Leroy David (1902-1945), American Naval Officer who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944 23
  • John Fisher of David, American politician, Postmaster at Westminster, Maryland, 1817-20 24
  • Alain David (1932-2022), French gold medalist sprinter at the 1956 Summer Olympics
  • Jean Antoine David, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 25
  • Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825), French neoclassical painter
  • Hérmine David, French painter
  • Pierre Jean David (1789-1856), French sculptor
  • ... (Another 12 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Flight 191
  • E David (d. 1979), American passenger from San Francisco, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 26
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Albert  David (1856-1917), Canadian resident from Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 27
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George David, British Stoker 2nd Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 28
  • Mr. Edward ErneSt David, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 28
  1. Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.
  2. Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
  3. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
  13. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia-1v
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Albert David. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Albert David. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_David
  24. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  25. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 26) Jean David. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
  26. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
  27. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  28. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
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