Surname Davey - Meaning and Origin
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An iGENEA DNA Analysis: Unfolding the History and Heritage of the Davey Surname
Embarking on a genealogical journey with iGENEA, I explored my family roots and learned valuable insights about my surname, ‘Davey’. The DNA Analysis illuminated my ancestry's geographical path and connected me with distant relatives, expanding my understanding of my family's history.
R. Davey
read moreDavey: What does the surname Davey mean?
The last name Davey is of English origin and may, in some cases, be derived from the old Norman personal name 'Daveli'. In other cases, it is also thought to have developed from D'Avelli, a family name of French origin, or from the Olde English pre-7th Century word "Daefia", meaning literally "little David".
Today, Davey is known as a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. The given name 'David' was the name of the Old Testament king and is of Hebrew origin for "beloved". As a result, Davey is often associated with great love and affection.
The Davey coat of arms is known for its red and white checkered shield, symbolizing constancy and faith. Its symbols, like the griffin, signify strength and vigilance. Along with the shield is a crest featuring a mascle, which is a lozenge-shaped diamond symbolizing honesty and worth.
Those with the surname Davey are believed to be personalities with strong determination and ambition, empathetic to the needs of others. People with the Davey surname are hardworking, independent, and family focused. They tend to value sports and loyalty, but only to the ones that they feel are worth their trust. All-in-all, the Davey surname is typically associated with great love, strength, and worth.
Order DNA origin analysisDavey: Where does the name Davey come from?
Davey is a surname of English origin. It is mainly found across the United Kingdom and in some parts of North America such as Canada. Today, the name Davey is most commonly found in the United Kingdom in countries such as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
In England, it is most popular in Northern England around areas of North Lancashire and Cumbria and is also reported to be popular in the far south of Wales covering Pembrokeshire.
In Scotland, the Davey name is found mainly in the Shetland Islands and particularly around its most populous island, Mainland. It is also said to be particularly popular around the islands of Orkney and Skye.
In North America, the Davey surname is mainly found in Canada around the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Overall, Davey is still quite a popular surname which is continuously used today across Britain and North America.
Variations of the surname Davey
The surname Davey is of early medieval English origins and is very common in the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also present in Canada, New Zealand, the United States and other countries with significant Commonwealth populations. Davey is often spelled as Davey, Davy, Davie, Daivs, Daive and Davys. Variants of the Davey name are sometimes written as Davids, Davis, Daviss and Davies. These variants suggest that the name was patronymic, meaning that the original bearer was possibly named after his father.
Historically, Davey was often used as an occupational surname. In some areas of the British Isles it was used to refer to a person who served as a dyer, while in other locations it was used to signify a blacksmith or a retailer of wood or coal. On occasion, Davey has also been used as an allusive nickname surname, referring to someone with a look of innocence or a sweet nature.
The earliest recorded Davey families are found in two distinct areas; although these families may have been related, the connection is not documented. The first recorded use of the name can be found in early records from 1599 in the county of Somerset, England and the second family is found in records from 1762 in Scotland.
The Davey surname is still in use today and continues to be most prevalent in areas of the United Kingdom and Australia where large populations of people with the surname Davey can be found. As of 2019, it is estimated that there are over 17,000 people living in the United Kingdom with the Davey surname.
Famous people with the name Davey
- John Davey: English footballer
- Lawrence Davey: American actor
- John Davey Jr.: English footballer
- Mike Davey: British actor and theatre producer
- Lily Davey: Canadian model
- Will Davey: Australian actor
- Edward Davey: British Politician
- Jack Davey: American radio host
- Paul Davey: English footballer
- John Davey Sr.: English footballer
- Chris Davey: English cricketer
- Bob Davey: English cricketer
- Sarah Davey: British writer
- Ryan Davey: South African cricketer
- Gordon Davey: British Army officer and businessman