Show ContentsDavis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Davis Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Davis

What does the name Davis mean?

The Welsh Davis surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of David." Ultimately derived from the Hebrew name "David," meaning "beloved," the name became a popular given name throughout Medieval Europe due to the biblical King David of Israel. The popularity of the name was further increased in Britain due to it being the name of the Patron Saint of Wales. Little is known about Saint David, but he is thought to have been a 6th century monk and bishop. The name came to be used as a patronymic name by the Brythonic people of Wales. One of the most famous bearers of this personal name in Wales was David ap Gruffydd, the last Prince of North Wales, who was executed in 1276 by King Edward I of England.

Early Origins of the Davis family

The surname Davis was first found in Flintshire (Welsh: Sir y Fflint), a historic county, created after the defeat of the Welsh Kingdom of Gwynedd in 1284, and located in north-east Wales, where the distinguished Davis family held a family seat from very ancient times.

They were descended from Cynrig Efell, Lord of Eglwysegle, the twin son of Madog ab Maredadd, the great grandson of Bleddyn ap Cynvin, Prince of Powys, head of the honorable and worthy third Royal Tribe of Wales, who was traitorously murdered in 1073 by the men of Ystrad Tywi, after he had governed all of Wales for 13 years.

Directly descended from this line was John ap Davydd (John Davies of Gwasanau in the county of Flint).

Early History of the Davis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Davis research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1575, 1600, 1605, 1623, 1625, 1633, 1646, 1648, 1667, 1670, 1672, 1675, 1680, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1692, 1693, 1715, 1716, 1718, 1719, 1722, 1739, 1760 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Davis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davis 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 Davis have included Davies, Davis, Divis and others.

Early Notables of the Davis family

  • John Davis (1550-1605), an English navigator who discovered the Falkland Islands and what is now known as the Davis Strait
  • James Davis (c. 1575-c. 1623) an English ship captain and author who was part of the expedition of the Virginia Company of Plymouth which established Popham Colony, also called "Northern Virginia"
  • Edward Davis or Davies (fl. c. 1680-1688) was an English buccaneer active in the Caribbean during the 1680's
  • Joseph Davis, (fl. 1692-1715), a Welsh captain in the Hudson's Bay Company who was dismissed because he was unable to deliver a year's worth of goods due to an ice jam

Davis World Ranking

the United States, the name Davis is the 6th most popular surname with an estimated 1,193,760 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Davis is ranked the 58th most popular surname with an estimated 35,809 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Davis is the 863rd popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Davis as 60th with 429 people. 4 Australia ranks Davis as 23rd with 51,740 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Davis as 21st with 6,052 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Davis as 52nd with 78,574 people. 7 South Africa ranks Davis as 723rd with 9,461 people. 8

Migration of the Davis family to Ireland

Some of the Davis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 201 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Davis migration to the United States +

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 Davis:

Davis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Davis, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 10
  • John Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1617 10
  • William Davis, aged 33, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "William and Thomas" 10
  • Mr. Nicholas Davis, aged 13, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Mary Gold" 11
  • Mr. Richard Davis, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the "Bona Nova" 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Faith Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1700 10
  • Edward Davis, who landed in North Carolina in 1701 10
  • Edward Davis, who arrived in North Carolina in 1701 10
  • Hen Davis, who landed in Virginia in 1701 10
  • Henry Davis, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Davis, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
  • William Davis, William Davis, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 10
  • Hugh Davis, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 10
  • William Davis, who landed in America in 1805 10
  • James Davis, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1806 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. John T. Davis, (b. 1899), aged 4, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mrs. Mary E. Davis, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mr. Stephen Davis, (b. 1875), aged 28, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 12
  • Mr. Nicholas Davis, (b. 1873), aged 32, Cornish carpenter travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Brooklyn, New York, USA 12
  • Mr. Samuel Davis, (b. 1874), aged 31, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th July 1905 en route to Bourne, Oregon, USA 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Davis migration to Canada +

Davis Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Davis, who arrived in Newfoundland in 1713 13
  • Greenway Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Folk Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Edward Davis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • John Davis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Walter R Davis, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Martha Davis, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
  • John Davis, aged 20, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
  • James Davis, who landed in Canada in 1833
  • Andrew Davis, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Davis, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • J B Davis, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Davis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Ann Davis, (1772 - 1854), aged 16, British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
  • Miss Deborah Davis, (1764 - 1829), aged 24, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. Thomas Davis, (b. 1763), aged 26, British solider convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. David Davis, (1752 - 1836), aged 37, British settler convicted in Leicestershire, England in 1786, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. Benjamin Davis, (d. 1790), British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1787, sentenced to 14 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Davis, British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. David Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Humphrey Davis, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. James Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. John Davis, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Davis, (b. 1753), aged 34, English convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire on 27th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787, died before they set sail 10
  • Mr. Samuel Davis, (b. 1769), aged 18, English settler convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire on 13th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. William Davis, (b. 1731), aged 56, English settler convicted in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 12th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. James Davis, (b. 1759), aged 28, English settler convicted in London on 8th December 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. William Davis, (b. 1764), aged 23, Welsh settler convicted in Brecknock, Breconshire on 4th August 1784, sentenced for life for felony, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Davis Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Charles Davis, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. John Davis, (Dallow), English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. William Davis, (1768 - 1843), aged 31, Irish inn keeper who was convicted in Kings County, Ireland for life for political prisoner, transported aboard the  "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Davis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Davis 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:

Davis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles O Davis, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1831
  • Mr. David Davis, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 18
  • T Davis, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1837
  • Mr Davis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 19
  • Richard Davis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Aurora
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Davis Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Arthur Davis, aged 29, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Davis migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Davis Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Edward Davis, who landed in Barbados in 1671 10
  • Henery Davis, aged 18, who arrived in Barbados in 1682 10
Davis Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Anthony Davis, who arrived in Jamaica in 1757 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Davis (post 1700) +

  • Spencer David Nelson Davis (1939-2020), Welsh musician and founder of the 1960s beat band the Spencer Davis Group
  • David Brion Davis (1927-2018), American authority on slavery and abolition in the Western world and is the Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, he was awarded the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
  • Carol Davis (1932-2025), née Sagal, American businesswoman and sports franchise owner, part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League and the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association
  • Mtulazaji Davis (d. 2025), better known by his stage name P.E.A.C.E., American rapper from Los Angeles, California, member of Freestyle Fellowship along with Aceyalone, Myka 9 and Self Jupiter, released two solo albums
  • Sid Davis (1928-2025), American journalist who covered the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and provided the pool report of Johnson’s Swearing-In aboard Air Force One
  • Belvagene Davis (1932-2025), American television and radio journalist, first African-American woman to have become a television reporter on the U.S. West Coast, won eight Emmy Awards, recognized by the American Women in Radio and Television and National Association of Black Journalists
  • William "Bill" A. Davis III (1951-2025), American NASCAR car owner that won the Daytona 500 with Ward Burton in 2002, and the 2001 Southern 500, also with Burton
  • Paul Vincent Davis (1935-2025), American puppeteer, director, and teacher whose career spanned over five decades, created more than a dozen full-length productions, and was recognized with five UNIMA-USA Citations of Excellence-the highest national puppetry award-as well as the Puppeteers of America President’s Award
  • Ruth Amy Davis (1943-2025), American diplomat, 24th Director General of the United States Foreign Service (2001-2003)
  • ... (Another 113 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. James A Davis (1956-1985), American Sergeant from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
  • Mr. Thomas E Davis (1957-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Woodbury, New Jersey, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
  • Mr. Jimmy Dean Davis (1962-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Aliceville, Alabama, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
  • Mr. John Davis, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Peter Davis, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 23
  • ... (Another 82 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Davis 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: Heb Dhuw heb ddym, Dhuw a digon
Motto Translation: Without God without anything, God is enough.

Suggested Readings for the name Davis +

  • From the Rhondda Valley to the Clinch River Valley and Beyond: A Genealogy of the Descendants of John Davies (also Daivis) by Billie Ruth McNamara.
  • Amos Williams Davis: Family History, Including His Ancestors and Descendants by Eunice Freese Payne.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  10. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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