Devit Surname History

Origins Available:
Ireland
Italy

The Irish Devit surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic Patronymic name "Mac Daibheid," which means son of David.

Early Origins of the Devit family

The surname Devit was first found in on the Inishowen peninsula, in County Donegal, where a sept of this name claim David O'Doherty (d. 1208,) a chief of Cenel Eoghain, as their ancestor.

Early History of the Devit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Devit research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Devit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Devit Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Devit family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including MacDaid, MacDavid, McDavid, Dade, MacDade, Devitt, MacDevitt, MacDavitt and many more.

Early Notables of the Devit family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

MacDevitt of County Donegal

Devit migration to Australia +

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

Devit Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Michael Devit, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Omega"

Contemporary Notables of the name Devit (post 1700) +

Vincenzo de Vit (1811-1891), Italian scholar