Show ContentsDavis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Davis Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Davis

What does the name Davis mean?

The Davis surname has been found in Ireland in various 16th century records, in various parts of the country. Generally, the name and its bearers came from Britain: some may have come with the 12th century Norman invasions, most came much later in the 17th century Plantation of Ulster, when the British crown offered an opportunity for settlers to obtain land in exchange for pledging to remain protestant. Those who immigrated to Ireland were granted lands previously owned by the native Catholic Irish. However, the name has also been used as an Anglicized form of some Gaelic Irish names: in County Wexford, some of the MacDavids, a branch of the MacMurroughs took on the name Davis; some of the Gaelic Davin, have taken on the Davis name. It is derived from the personal name David, which means "darling" or "friend."

Early Origins of the Davis family

The surname Davis was first found in England and Scotland from the 12th century onward, but was particularly popular in Wales even earlier. One of the most famous bearers of this personal name in Wales was David ap Gryffydd, the last Prince of North Wales, who was executed c. 1276 by King Edward I of England. The suffix "is" or "ies" of the surname has often changed from father to son and has no modern significance. Davis comes from beautiful Wales, the mountainous land of the ancient Britons.

Early History of the Davis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Davis research. Another 230 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1073, 1550, 1600, 1605, 1667, 1672, 1723, 1739, 1761, 1808 and 1889 are included under the topic Early Davis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davis Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Davis, Davies, Davis, Divis and others.

Early Notables of the Davis family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Davis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davis World Ranking

the United States, the name Davis is the 6th most popular surname with an estimated 1,193,760 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Davis is ranked the 58th most popular surname with an estimated 35,809 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Davis is the 863rd popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Davis as 60th with 429 people. 4 Australia ranks Davis as 23rd with 51,740 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Davis as 21st with 6,052 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Davis as 52nd with 78,574 people. 7 South Africa ranks Davis as 723rd with 9,461 people. 8

Davis migration to the United States +



Davis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Davis, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 10
  • John Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1617 10
  • William Davis, aged 33, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "William and Thomas" 10
  • Mr. Nicholas Davis, aged 13, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Mary Gold" 11
  • Mr. Richard Davis, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the "Bona Nova" 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Faith Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1700 10
  • Edward Davis, who landed in North Carolina in 1701 10
  • Edward Davis, who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 10
  • Hen Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1701 10
  • Henry Davis, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Davis, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
  • William Davis, William Davis, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 10
  • Hugh Davis, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 10
  • William Davis, who landed in America in 1805 10
  • James Davis, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1806 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. John T. Davis, (b. 1899), aged 4, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mrs. Mary E. Davis, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mr. Stephen Davis, (b. 1875), aged 28, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mr. Nicholas Davis, (b. 1873), aged 32, Cornish carpenter travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Brooklyn, New York, USA 12
  • Mr. Samuel Davis, (b. 1874), aged 31, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th July 1905 en route to Bourne, Oregon, USA 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Davis migration to Canada +

Davis Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Davis, who arrived in Newfoundland in 1713 13
  • Greenway Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Folk Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Edward Davis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • John Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Walter R Davis, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Martha Davis, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
  • John Davis, aged 20, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
  • James Davis, who landed in Canada in 1833
  • Andrew Davis, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Davis, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • J B Davis, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Davis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Ann Davis, (1772 - 1854), aged 16, British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
  • Miss Deborah Davis, (1764 - 1829), aged 24, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. Thomas Davis, (b. 1763), aged 26, British solider convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. David Davis, (1752 - 1836), aged 37, British settler convicted in Leicestershire, England in 1786, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. Benjamin Davis, (d. 1790), British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1787, sentenced to 14 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Davis, British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. David Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Humphrey Davis, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. James Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. John Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Davis, (b. 1753), aged 34, English convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire on 27th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787, died before they set sail 10
  • Mr. Samuel Davis, (b. 1769), aged 18, English settler convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire on 13th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. William Davis, (b. 1731), aged 56, English settler convicted in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 12th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. James Davis, (b. 1759), aged 28, English settler convicted in London on 8th December 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. William Davis, (b. 1764), aged 23, Welsh settler convicted in Brecknock, Breconshire on 4th August 1784, sentenced for life for felony, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Davis Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Davis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Davis 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:

Davis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles O Davis, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1831
  • Mr. David Davis, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 17
  • T Davis, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1837
  • Mr Davis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 18
  • Richard Davis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Aurora
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Arthur Davis, aged 29, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Davis 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. 19
Davis Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Edward Davis, who landed in Barbados in 1671 10
  • Henery Davis, aged 18, who arrived in Barbados in 1682 10
Davis Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Anthony Davis, who arrived in Jamaica in 1757 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Davis (post 1700) +

  • Spencer David Nelson Davis (1939-2020), Welsh musician and founder of the 1960s beat band the Spencer Davis Group
  • David Brion Davis (1927-2018), American authority on slavery and abolition in the Western world and is the Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, he was awarded the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
  • Carol Davis (1932-2025), née Sagal, American businesswoman and sports franchise owner, part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League and the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association
  • Mtulazaji Davis (d. 2025), better known by his stage name P.E.A.C.E., American rapper from Los Angeles, California, member of Freestyle Fellowship along with Aceyalone, Myka 9 and Self Jupiter, released two solo albums
  • Sid Davis (1928-2025), American journalist who covered the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and provided the pool report of Johnson’s Swearing-In aboard Air Force One
  • Belvagene Davis (1932-2025), American television and radio journalist, first African-American woman to have become a television reporter on the U.S. West Coast, won eight Emmy Awards, recognized by the American Women in Radio and Television and National Association of Black Journalists
  • William "Bill" A. Davis III (1951-2025), American NASCAR car owner that won the Daytona 500 with Ward Burton in 2002, and the 2001 Southern 500, also with Burton
  • Paul Vincent Davis (1935-2025), American puppeteer, director, and teacher whose career spanned over five decades, created more than a dozen full-length productions, and was recognized with five UNIMA-USA Citations of Excellence-the highest national puppetry award-as well as the Puppeteers of America President’s Award
  • Ruth Amy Davis (1943-2025), American diplomat, 24th Director General of the United States Foreign Service (2001-2003)
  • ... (Another 113 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. James A Davis (1956-1985), American Sergeant from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 20
  • Mr. Thomas E Davis (1957-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Woodbury, New Jersey, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
  • Mr. Jimmy Dean Davis (1962-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Aliceville, Alabama, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
  • Mr. John Davis, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
  • Mr. Peter Davis, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22
  • ... (Another 82 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Davis +

  • From the Rhondda Valley to the Clinch River Valley and Beyond: A Genealogy of the Descendants of John Davies (also Daivis) by Billie Ruth McNamara.
  • Amos Williams Davis: Family History, Including His Ancestors and Descendants by Eunice Freese Payne.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "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
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  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 January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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