DAVIDGE
Davidge is an English surname that functions as a patronymic. The name is historically linked to the personal name David, a name of Hebrew origin meaning beloved or friend.
The suffix -age appears commonly in English surnames and traditionally signifies son of or descendant of. Consequently, the name Davidge can be interpreted as son of David or descendant of David.
Early records of the surname demonstrate its medieval usage across England. The earliest documented instance is that of Walter Dauy in the register of St. Bartholomews Hospital, London, dated 1198, during the reign of King Richard I. Further attestations include Thomas Davit in the 1275 Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, Richard Davydge in the 1591 state papers for London, George Davidge of Norwich recorded in 1704, and John Daveridge of Heathfield, Somerset documented in 1753.
In addition to its English usage, the surname has a Welsh connection. It is believed to derive from the Welsh personal name Dai or Davi, themselves pet forms of David. Place‑name origins have also been proposed, with the parish of Davidge in Flintshire, Wales identified as a possible source for the surname if bearers were once identified by that locality.
Distribution records indicate that the surname remains most common within the United Kingdom. According to genealogy research conducted by Forebears in 2019, Davidge ranks as the 7,039th most common name in the UK, with the London area accounting for 7.2 % of bearers, followed by Glamorgan, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Devon and Yorkshire.
The name has evolved through a variety of spellings over the centuries. Variants such as Davitt, Davydge, Daveridge, Davies, Dafydd and Dafis have appeared in historical documents. Other forms include Davit, Davott and Daffett, which all retain the same linguistic root but exhibit differences in regional orthography.
Beyond Britain, the surname can be found among populations in Australia, Canada, the United States and other English‑speaking countries, a spread that is partly attributable to the movement of people during the British Empire and the relocation of civilians during World War II.
Today the surname Davidge continues to be borne by a small but enduring community of individuals. Its etymological roots in the ancient name David, its medieval patronymic construction, and its varied spelling history make it a distinct and recognisable surname within the broader spectrum of English family names.
Typical given names associated with the Davidge surname
Male
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Craig
- David
- Graham
- Jeffrey
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Nigel
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Beryl
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Kathleen
- Laura
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
- Tracie
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Davidge in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 835 people named Davidge in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,503rd most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Davidge.
Famous people named Davidge
- Neil Davidge - Composer
- Guy Davidge - Cricketer (1878 to 1956)
- Glyn Davidge - Welsh rugby union player (1933 to 2006)
- Cecil Davidge - Lawyer and academic (1901 to 1981)
- George Davidge - Rugby union and rugby league football player (1895 to 1)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.