Show ContentsDavern History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Davern family

The surname Davern was first found in Dauphiny (French: Dauphiné or Dauphiné Viennois), a former province in southeastern France, where the family has been a prominent family for centuries, and held a family seat with lands and manor. The family were well established in the region of the Rhone and several members of the family distinguished themselves through their contributions toward the community in which they lived and were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility.

Early History of the Davern family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Davern research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1691, 1708, 1713, 1737, 1739, 1751, 1755, 1762 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Davern History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davern Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: d'Auvergne, Auvergne, Auvern, Davern, Dauvern, Davergne, d'Avern and many more.

Early Notables of the Davern family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Edward D'Auverne (1660-1737), military historian, belonged to the Jersey branch of the D'Auvergne family, claiming descent from a cadet of the house of the last reigning Duke of Bouillon. He was son of Philip d'Auvergne of Jersey, and born in that island. In 1691 he was chaplain to the Scots guards, and served with that regiment throughout the wars in Flanders under William III, of which he became the historian. Afterwards he was made one of the king's domestic chaplains. He died at Great Hallingbury 2 Dec. 1737. 1Bénigne d'Auvergne de Saint-Mars (died...
Another 166 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Davern Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Davern migration to Australia +

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

Davern Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Bridget Davern, (b. 1809), aged 28, Irish maid who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
  • Patrick Davern, aged 43, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
  • Anne Davern, aged 17, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
  • Catherine Davern, aged 14, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
  • Margaret Davern, aged 21, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Davern 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:

Davern Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Davern, aged 20, a housemaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
  • Mr. John Davern, (b. 1858), aged 26, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Victory " arriving in Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th May 1884 4
  • Miss Bridget Davern, (b. 1864), aged 20, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Victory " arriving in Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th May 1884 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Davern (post 1700) +

  • Eamon Davern, American actor, known for his work in Fistful of Flies (1996), Friend'Z (2014) and Home and Away (1988)
  • Brett Davern, American actor, known for his work in Awkward (2011), The Pool Boys (2011) and Born to Race: Fast Track (2014)
  • John Kenneth "Kenny" Davern (b. 1935), American Jazz clarinetist
  • James Davern OAM, Australian television director, writer, script editor and producer
  • Donal "Don" Davern (1935-1968), Irish Fianna Fáil politician for Tipperary South in 1965, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Michael J. Davern (1900-1973), Irish Fianna Fáil politician for Tipperary South (1948-1965), father of Don Davern
  • Michael Christopher Noel Davern (1945-2013), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, Minister for Education (1991-1992)


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Diamond
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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