David Family Crest and Name History

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David PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname David

David

Contents

David history with David Family Crest
David Motto Translated
Surname Notables

About Family Crests

David Products

Origins Available: French, Italian, Welsh

Where did the Welsh David family come from? What is the Welsh coat of arms/family crest? When did the David family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The David name, which is a very unique Celtic origin, came from the rugged landscape of Wales. This Brythonic Celtic name is from the personal name David, which means darling or friend. This name was common 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.

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. At this time, there were no uniform spelling rules and because the general population was illiterate, they could not specify a particular rendition of their names. Therefore, scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname David has occasionally been spelled David, Dafydd, Dewi, Davith and others.

First found in Cheshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

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More about the David History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
Known spelling variations
Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
First settlers to North America
Notable contemporary bearers of the name
A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name David: John David who settled in Boston in 1649; John David settled in Virginia in 1635; another John settled in Virginia in 1663; along with Joseph, Lewis, Rendall, and William.

Motto Translated: Peace and plenty.

For more information on the last name David, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name David

Lieutenant Albert Leroy David (1902-1945), American Naval Officer who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
Jacques Lefavre David, senior partner of David, Boulva, Cleve Architects in Montreal
Hérmine David, French painter
Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825), French neoclassical painter
Paul David (b. 1919), Cardiologist of international reputation and founder of the Institute of Cardiology in Montreal (1954)
Joe David, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, born in Apitsat, in British Columbia, in 1946, a member of the Clayquot Band, is a leading figure in Northwest Coast Indian Art
Sir Edgeworth David (1858-1934), Australian geologist
Armand David (1826-1900), French Lazarist missionary
Félicien David (1810-1876), French composer
Gerhard David (1460-1523), Flemish painter
Jacques Louis David (1748-1825), French painter
Pierre Jean David (1789-1856), French sculptor
Richard David, Publisher of Cambridge University Press
Robin David, Circuit Judge
Roderick David, English singer

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the David family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements

In the David coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the David genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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David Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name David.

Apparel

Apparel showing the David family crest.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name David.

Ceramics

Ceramics with a David family crest.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name David.

Downloads

Downloads displaying the family crest for the name David.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name David.

Family Tree

Family Tree for the David family crest.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques revealing the family crest for the surname David.

Keychains

Keychains featuring the family crest for the surname David.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads revealing the David family crest.

New Products

New Products for the David family crest.

Packages

Packages showing the David family crest.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames for the David family crest.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name David.

Symbolism

Symbolism showing the David family crest.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs featuring the family crest for the surname David.

Popular Products
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The David Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The David Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.