DAVIES
Davies
Surname: Davies
Origin: The surname Davies is of Welsh origin and is an Anglicized version of the native Welsh name "Dafydd." The name "Dafydd" itself is derived from the Hebrew name "David," meaning "beloved." Davies is a common surname in Wales and is often regarded as a patronymic surname, indicating descent from a man named David.
History: The surname Davies has a long history in Wales, with records dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the region of Cardiganshire in West Wales. The name Davies is particularly prevalent in Wales and is one of the most common surnames in the country.
Variants: Variants of the surname Davies include Davis, Davy, and Davison. These variants have different historical origins but are often used interchangeably with Davies.
Famous Bearers: The surname Davies has been borne by numerous notable individuals throughout history. Some famous bearers of the surname Davies include:
- Aneurin Bevan Davies: Welsh politician and one of the architects of the National Health Service (NHS).
- Marion Davies: American actress, famous for her performances in silent films and early talkies.
- Peter Maxwell Davies: English composer and conductor, known for his avant-garde classical music compositions.
Modern Distribution: The surname Davies remains a common surname in Wales and is also found among the Welsh diaspora around the world. It is particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to Welsh migration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
References:
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
See Also:
- Welsh Surnames
- Patronymic Surnames
There are approximately 297,316 people named Davies in the UK. That makes it the 6th most common surname in Britain. Around 4,566 in a million people in Britain are named Davies.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Wales
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Welsh
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- William
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Dafis
- Daive
- Daives
- Daivies
- Daivis
- Daivs
- Davas
- Dave
- Daveis
- Daves
- Davess
- Davey
- Daveys
- Davi
- Davia
- Davias
- Davice
- David
- Davide
- Davidge
- Davids
- Davie
- Davied
- Daviel
- Daviess
- Daviey
- Davige
- Daviies
- Davin
- Davine
- Davins
- Davios
- Davis
- Davise
- Daviss
- Davitte
- Davitts
- Davos
- Davues
- Davy
- Davye
- Davyes
- Davys
- Deaves
- Deavey
- Deavies
- Deavis
- Deeves
- Defis
- Deives
- Deves
- Devey
- Devi
- Devie
- Devies
- Devines
- Devis
- Devise
- Devisse
- Devys
- Duffus
- Tuffs
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.