Is Davis an irish Decent name?

Question

the last name Davis .

where did it originate?

Answer 1

In my searches for ancestors, Davis is one of the ones I find frequently.  Although I knew it is a name from the British Isles, I could not remember which one.  I googled and came up with this site:

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/surnames/...

The Davis family is among the forty-nine "best families" selected by the American Historical-Genealogical Society for whom the Society has published family histories during the past few years. The Davis family has been prominent in the British Empire and in the United States, its members having played important roles in war and in peace. Family pride is a commendable trait and should be cultivated. All Davises have just cause to be proud of their family history and traditions.

In references No. 7 and No. 14 we find the following regarding the origin and meaning of the name Davis.

Davis is a Welsh surname, and the family is among the most numerous in England and Wales. This is due to the fact that there are so many varia­tions of the name. The original name was David which signifies well-beloved—popular in Biblical days and a favorite among the Scottish kings.

Though of ancient standing in Wales, David scarcely appears in England before the Conquest. Modified in various forms, it has produced many family names such as Davis, Davidson, Davies, Daves, Dawson, Dawes, Day, Dakin, etc. The Irish form is M´Daid; the French, Devis.

Answer 2

This is what www.ancestry.com has to say about the name,

Davis Name Meaning and History

Southern English: patronymic from David.

hope this helps.

Answer 3

Decent enough. It doesn't shout "Irish" like "O'Brian" or "O'Connor", but if you want to name a character in your novel "Davis" and have him be Irish, go ahead. There are lots of them.

If you mean "DESCENT", names are clues, nothing more. The only way to find out where your ancestors came from is to trace them.

Answer 4

davis is English.......davies is Welsh.