McDavis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of McDavis

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

Early Origins of the McDavis family

Early History of the McDavis family

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

McDavis Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name McDavis family name. Variations found include MacDaid, MacDavid, McDavid, Dade, MacDade, Devitt, MacDevitt, MacDavitt and many more.

Early Notables of the McDavis family

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

Migration of the McDavis family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the McDavis family in North America: William McDevit, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1771; James Devett, who came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773; Philip McDevit, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1804.