Show ContentsTavy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Tavy is from the unique Celtic culture that developed in Wales. This particular surname 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.

Early Origins of the Tavy family

The surname Tavy was first found in London where the first record appears as a forename as Daui Capriht in 1292. As a surname, again in London, Walter dauy was listed 1198-1212. Later, Richard Davy was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. [1]

In Somerset, the first record there was of Henry Davy, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign) [2] The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Richard Davi, Suffolk; and William Davy, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Jahannes Dauyman (i.e. the servant of Davy) and Matilda Dauy, doghter. [3]

Early History of the Tavy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tavy research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1612, 1621, 1622, 1629, 1630, 1640, 1641, 1654, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1670, 1671, 1678, 1679, 1684, 1685, 1692, 1707, 1710, 1765 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Tavy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tavy Spelling Variations

The Welsh have an extremely large amount of spelling variations of their native surnames to their credit. It was up to the priest or the scribe taking the official records to determine how the spoken name was to be made literal. As time progressed, the old Brythonic names of Wales were recorded in English, which was especially problematic since the English language had extreme difficulty recording the highly inflected sounds of Cymraeg. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Tavy have included Davy, Davey, Davie, Daivey, Daivy, Daivie, Dayvy, Dayvie, Dayvey, Devy, Devie and many more.

Early Notables of the Tavy family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir John Davie, 1st Baronet (1588-1654), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1621 to 1622, High Sheriff of Devon from 1629 to 1630; Sir John Davie, 2nd Baronet (1612-1678), an English politician who sat in the...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tavy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tavy family to Ireland

Some of the Tavy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tavy family

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Tavy: John Davie who acquired estates in Boston Massachusetts about the year 1650; Humphrey David, son of Sir John Davie, a merchant who had been created a knight in 1641. Another John Davie was also created a freeman of Boston in 1636. John Davie settled in Virginia in 1639.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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