DAVIES

Davies is a patronymic surname of Welsh origin, signifying “son of David”. The personal name Dafydd is the Welsh form of the Hebrew name Dawid, which conveys the meaning “beloved” or “friend”. Consequently, the surname embodies a linguistic chain that links a Hebrew given name to a Welsh patronymic construction, reflecting both biblical and Celtic influences.

The earliest recorded instances of the name in Britain appear after the Norman Conquest of 1066, a period during which returning crusaders introduced a number of biblical names into the local onomastic repertoire. Contemporary documents list variations such as Davis, Davies, and Davie. In the mid‑twelfth century, a cleric named “Dauid clericus” is noted in the Lincoln rolls of 1150, while a “Richard Davy” occurs in the Worcester subsidy rolls of 1275. Further examples include “Thomas Dayson” in the 1327 Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire and “Richard Davys” in the Register of the Freemen of York of 1402.

The first explicitly spelled family name resembling the modern form is recorded as “John Dauisse” in the Cambridgeshire subsidy rolls of 1327, during the reign of King Edward III. This early appearance confirms the surname’s establishment within the English administrative framework, although its strongest cultural association remains with Wales, where it is among the most common surnames.

From a linguistic standpoint, the surname is classified as a “from name of parent” type, derived directly from the father’s given name. Its prevalence in the British Isles, particularly in Wales, aligns with the region’s Welsh language and Christian religious traditions, and it is often employed as an indicator of Welsh ancestry.

Prominent historical bearers illustrate the surname’s social mobility. Sir Thomas Davies (1631–1680), a notable bookseller, served as master of the Stationers’ Guild in 1668 and held the office of Lord Mayor of London in 1666, the year of the Great Fire. Such examples underscore the surname’s integration into both regional and national histories.

Typical given names associated with the Davies 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

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Davies in...

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Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Davies are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Bourbon.

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

Famous people named Davies

• Ray Davies - Rock-pop musician, founding member of The Kinks
• Alan Davies - Comedian, actor, and author
• Dave Davies - Musician
• Philip Davies - Politician
• Tom Davies - Football player
• Rick Davies - Musician, songwriter
• Windsor Davies - Actor (1930 to 2019)
• Andrew Davies - Screenwriter and novelist
• Russell T Davies - Screenwriter, former executive producer of Doctor Who
• Ben Davies - Welsh football player
• Marilyn Davies - Actress (1944 to 2014)
• Gary Davies - DJ
• Sharron Davies - Swimmer, Olympic silver medallist, television presenter
• Karl Davies - Actor
• Norman Davies - Historian
• Kevin Davies - Football player and manager
• Dickie Davies - Television presenter
• Pixie Davies - Actress
• David Davies - Welsh politician and MP
• Peter Llewelyn Davies - Publisher (1897 to 1960)

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.

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