The Irish MacDavitt surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic Patronymic name "Mac Daibheid," which means son of David.
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Early Origins of the MacDavitt family
The surname MacDavitt 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.
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Early History of the MacDavitt family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacDavitt research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacDavitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacDavitt 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 MacDavitt family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including MacDaid, MacDavid, McDavid, Dade, MacDade, Devitt, MacDevitt, MacDavitt and many more.
Early Notables of the MacDavitt family
More information is included under the topic Early MacDavitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacDavitt family
A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name MacDavitt or a variant listed above: William McDevit, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1771; James Devett, who came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773; Philip McDevit, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1804.
Ireland
