Davidson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Wales 
  Ireland 


The history of the Davidson family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name Davidson comes from the personal name David. Davidson is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. This surname comes from the religious naming tradition, and was adopted from the popular biblical surname, David, which means beloved. This surname is believed to date as far back as the 15th century, BC, and to have come to Scotland from Brittany, with the Picts. The first Chief of the Clan Davidson, David Dubh, was of Pictish descent. He was the fourth son of the chief of Clan Chattan, of which the Davidsons became a part.

Early Origins of the Davidson family

The surname Davidson was first found in Perth, where, in 1219, Johnannes filius Davidis, a merchant in Perth, is mentioned. Some accounts suggest that around 1000 AD the Catti (Chattan) Clan, from whom the Davidson Clan descends, broke into two distinct factions, the MacKintosh and the MacPherson Clans.

The Davidson Clan was part of the MacPherson element, but always considered itself to be the senior Clan of the Chattan group. Records from the Ragman Rolls show Adami fiz Dauid of Forfarshire and Johan le fiz David of Berwickshire rendering homage to King Edward I of England in 1296.

The first estates of the Clan Davidson were at Invernahaven, a small estate in Badenoch, where they were said to be found from the mid 14th century.

Early History of the Davidson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Davidson research. Another 219 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1396, 1408, 1411, 1466, 1500, 1549, 1603, 1670 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Davidson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davidson Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Davidson has appeared Davison, Davidson, Davisint, Davisyn, Debison, Dawysone, Dawyson, Davysone, Davyson, Davitson, Dawysown, Davisoun, Davisend, Davidsone, Davidson, Daveysone, Daveyson, Dauyson, Dawysume, Dauysum and many more.

Early Notables of the Davidson family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Davidson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Davidson is the 262nd most popular surname with an estimated 101,967 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Davidson is ranked the 148th most popular surname with an estimated 22,840 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Davidson is the 161st popular surname with an estimated 18,845 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Davidson as 130th with 3,577 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Davidson as 142nd with 35,740 people. 6

Migration of the Davidson family to Ireland

Some of the Davidson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Davidson migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Davidson:

Davidson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Davidson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Davidson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Davidson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Davidson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Davidson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Davidson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Davidson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Davidson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Davidson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Davidson 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:

Davidson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Davidson (post 1700) +


The Davidson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sapienter si sincere
Motto Translation: Wisely if sincerely.


Suggested Readings for the name Davidson +
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