McDavitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of McDavitt

What does the name McDavitt mean?

The Irish McDavitt surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic Patronymic name "Mac Daibheid," which means son of David.

Early Origins of the McDavitt family

The surname McDavitt was first found in on the Inishowen peninsula, in County Donegal, where a sept of this name claim David O'Doherty (d. 1208,) a chief of Cenel Eoghain, as their ancestor.

Early History of the McDavitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McDavitt research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McDavitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDavitt Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name McDavitt include MacDaid, MacDavid, McDavid, Dade, MacDade, Devitt, MacDevitt, MacDavitt and many more.

Early Notables of the McDavitt family

More information is included under the topic Early McDavitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDavitt migration to Australia +

McDavitt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thomas McDavitt, aged 20, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Admiral Boxer"

McDavitt 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:

McDavitt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Denis McDavitt, aged 22, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Soukar" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name McDavitt (post 1700) +

Terry Joseph McDavitt JP (b. 1948), New Zealand politician and activist from Dannevirke, 19th Deputy Mayor of Wellington City (1988-1989), Wellington City Councillor (1983-1992)