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Show ContentsDavid Surname History

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Etymology of David

What does the name David mean?

The surname David is a patronymic formed from the Hebraic, given name David. David was perhaps the greatest of the early kings of Israel, whose life and deeds are contained in the First Book of Samuel. This given name was also adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages and patronymic surnames rooting from David were created in Wales, Scotland, England, France, Portugal and Czech lands. The version 'Davis' was an English language creation, which means 'son of David,' but many Jews in English speaking lands have assumed this form of the name.

Accordingly, Jewish surnames are found all over the world. Although the ancient homeland of the Jewish people is Palestine, the Jews were expelled from this region after it was conquered by the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC.

Furthermore, Jews who lived in the western side of the Empire spoke Latin, and the Jews living in Palestine, Syria, and Mesopotamia all were commonly known with Aramaic names. 1

David Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: David, Davis, Davies, Davida, Davidai, Davidy, Davidman, Dawid, Dawidman and many more.

David World Ranking

In the United States, the name David is the 873rd most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name David is ranked the 436th most popular surname with an estimated 10,811 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name David is the 383rd popular surname. 5 France ranks David as 16th with 61,762 people. 6 Australia ranks David as 549th with 7,035 people. 7 New Zealand ranks David as 770th with 948 people. 8

David migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

David Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Roger David, who landed in Virginia in 1622 9
  • Mr. George David, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 10
  • John David, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Jon David, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
  • Howell David, who landed in Virginia in 1637 aboard the ship "Tristram and Jane" 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard David, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 9
  • James David, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 9
  • Henry David, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 9
  • Jennet David, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 9
  • Elizabeth David, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas David, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1802 9
  • Jacob David, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 9
  • Peter Oliver David, who arrived in New York in 1806 9
  • John David, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1812 9
  • George David, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

David migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

David Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Frs David, who landed in Canada in 1632-1760
  • Mr. René David, (b. 1910), aged 32, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 7th April 1642 11
  • Claude David was married in 1649 in Quebec
  • Michel David, son of Claude and Suzanne, who married Françoise Raclos, daughter of Idebon and Marie, in Quebec on 2nd December 1671 12
  • Mr. René David, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 13th March 1679 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Jean David, son of Michel and Françoise, who married Marie-Anne Deshaies-Saint-Cyr, daughter of Pierre and Marguerite, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade on 15th November 1713 12
  • Jacques David, son of Paul and Marie, who married Marie-Louise Normandin, daughter of Laurent and Marie-Anne, in Quebec on 17th September 1715 12
  • Jacques David, son of Jacques and Catherine, who married Madeleine Dagenais, daughter of Pierre and Marie, in Montreal, Quebec on 22nd June 1716 12
  • Joseph David, son of Jacques and Catherine, who married Marie Moneau, daughter of Michel-Jean and Marie, in Boucherville, Quebec on 7th January 1717 12
  • René David, son of Michel and Françoise, who married Marie-Josephte Quay, daughter of Louis and Marthe, in Verchères, Quebec on 24th January 1719 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
David Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Heinrich David, who landed in Canada in 1800

David migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

David Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Jeremiah David, British convict who was convicted in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 13
  • Miss Martha Daniel David, Welsh convict who was convicted in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales for life for larceny, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1852 14
  • Griffith David, Welsh convict from Glamorgan, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. David Harley, (b. 1809), aged 18, British convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Asia IV" on 25th July 1827, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • Mr. John David, (b. 1804), aged 26, Welsh ploughman who was convicted in Glamorganshire, Wales for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

David migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

David Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • M. David, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of the Deep" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1854 18
  • Mr. George David, (b. 1832), aged 30, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 19
  • Mrs. Matilda David, (b. 1832), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 19
  • Samuel N. David, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ernestina" in 1865
  • Mr. Constant V David, (b. 1854), aged 20, French farm labourer from France travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 18

David migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
David Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Lewes David, aged 28, who landed in Barbados in 1635 9
  • Mr. Lewes David, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 21

Contemporary Notables of the name David (post 1700) +

  • Catherine David (1949-2023), born Catherine Gradwohl, a Franco-American novelist, essayist and literary critic
  • Kal David (1943-2022), stage name of David Raskin, an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois
  • Harold Lane "Hal" David (1921-2012), American lyricist, probably best known for his hits "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "This Guy's in Love with You" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
  • Lieutenant Albert Leroy David (1902-1945), American Naval Officer who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944 22
  • John Fisher of David, American politician, Postmaster at Westminster, Maryland, 1817-20 23
  • Filip David (1940-2025), Serbian writer and screenwriter, best known for penning essays, dramas, short stories and novels
  • Nicole Cowgill Jaffe David (b. 1941), née Jaffe, Canadian retired talent agent, businesswoman, and former actress
  • Martine Yvette David (1952-2025), French politician, Deputy of the French National Assembly for Rhône's 13th constituency (1988-2007)
  • Roderick David, English singer
  • Alain David (1932-2022), French gold medalist sprinter at the 1956 Summer Olympics
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Flight 191
  • E David (d. 1979), American passenger from San Francisco, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 24
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Albert  David (1856-1917), Canadian resident from Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George David, British Stoker 2nd Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Edward ErneSt David, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  1. Weiss, Nelly. The Origin of Jewish family names: Morphology and History. Peter Lang AG, 2002. Digital
  2. Weiss, Nelly. The origin of Jewish family names: morphology and history. Peter Lang AG, 2002. Digital
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
  12. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  15. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia-1v
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  22. Albert David. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Albert David. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_David
  23. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  24. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
  25. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html

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