Deevy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland
Scotland

The surname Deevy 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 Deevy family

The surname Deevy 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 Deevy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deevy 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 Deevy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deevy Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Deevy have included Davy, Davey, Davie, Daivey, Daivy, Daivie, Dayvy, Dayvie, Dayvey, Devy, Devie and many more.

Early Notables of the Deevy 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 Deevy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Deevy family to Ireland

Some of the Deevy 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.

Deevy migration to Canada +

North America in the 1800s and 1900s saw the arrival of many Welsh people hoping to share in the wealth of land, work, and freedom that they felt North America held. Those who made the journey often attained those expectations, but only through an enormous amount of hard work, perseverance, and often a bout of good luck. These immigrants helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and culture of both Canada and the United States. Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Deevy:

Deevy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Mary Deevy, aged 6 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Elizabeth" but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 4
Mr. John Deevy, aged 34 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Henry Pottinger" departing 29th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 7th August 1847 but he died on board 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Deevy (post 1700) +

Teresa Deevy (1894-1963), Irish deaf dramatist, short story writer, and writer for radio, best known for her play Katie Roche

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 24)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 72)