Last name: Davison

This interesting surname is as patronymic from the male Hebrew given name David, from "Dodaveha" meaning "Beloved of Jehovah". This name was borne by the greatest of the early Kings of Israel which led to its popularity first among the Jews and later among Christians throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. St. David, the 6th Century Bishop of Menevia, became patron saint of Wales, and the name was borne by two Kings of Scotland (David 1, 1124 - 1153, and David 11, 1329 - 1371). One David Clericus, recorded in Documents relating to the Danelaw, Lincolnshire, dated 1150, is one of the earliest recorded bearers of the personal name in England. The surname was first recorded in the early half of the 14th Century (see below), and one John Davideson appears in "a Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds", Warwickshire (1350). In the modern idiom the surname has numerous variant spellings including Davidson, Davson, Davisson, and Davids. One George Davison married Jane Hinksley in 1599, at St. James, Clerkenwell, London. One of the earliest settlers in the New World was Alice Davison, who was recorded as living in James City, Virginia, on February 16th 1623. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Davyson, which was dated 1327, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Visitor Comments

leelee
There are parish records in East Kent, in particular, Staple where the surname literally appears as "Davison or Deverson", also families who alternate between Davison and Deverson as a surname.

jim
the davison part of my family came from what is now known as northern ireland, and settled in new jersey in or around 1895. my grandfather married catherine plunkett, whose family immigrated to new jersey from limerick,around the same time. she was either a cousin or niece of joseph plunkett, leader of the rebellion in 1916. my grandfather said that the davison clan left scotland [or were relocated] for ireland in the 1600's. despite that, we consider ourselves 100% of irish decent.

Richard Davison
Jim; interesting. Perhaps we are related. I moved from Northern Ireland in 1987 and much of my relatives still live there, including a Jim Davison whom is a cousin of my father. My grandfather was 1 of 8 kids, so there are still plenty of Davison's around the south Belfast area.

James Bernard Davison
My name is James (Jim) Bernard Davison My great grandfather come from England. I would like to hear from you.

Richard
Hi Jim. Just noticed your reply. Where in England did your great grandfather come from?

bimbrock
Look at Clan Davidson of Scotland.

lara davison
hi im trying to trace my relatives who i assume come from northern ireland any help would be gratefully appreciated :)

Richard Davison
Hi Lara. Do you have any idea where in Northern Ireland they were from? I grew up about 5 miles outside Belfast and there were a lot of Davison's in that area.

Steve
Hi Richard; C/O my post I would like an opportunity to visit with you. Have a good day; Steve

Richard
Steve; sure, would be great to see if we are related somehow. My brother's name is Robert Davison, as was my grandfather's. Feel free to email me at rwdavison@yahoo.com

Lucas Davison
Hi all. Lucas Davison is the name. Family say we are related to Emily Davison the suffragette who threw her self under the kings horse in 1913 to get women the vote. Anyone want to add to this or contact me. Birmingham. UK

Steve Davison
My Great-great Grandfather, Robert B. Davison born in ireland in 1818 came to America during the potato famine of the 1840's. he settled in Cottage Grove (Dane Co.) Wisc. He married Margret Anne Black (born County Antrim, Ireland in 1825) in 1846. She arrived in New york, City in 1845. anyone intrested in comunication? Steve