Davis is a patronymic surname originating in Wales, that means 'son of David

David

David was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible and, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, an ancestor of Jesus Christ through both Saint Joseph and Mary...

'. It is the 52nd most common surname in the United Kingdom. According to the 1990 United States Census survey, 'Davis' was the 6th most frequently reported surname, accounting for 0.48% of the population, preceding Miller

Miller (surname)

Miller is a surname of English, Scottish, Irish, and German origins.-In arts and entertainment:* Ann Miller , American singer, dancer, and actress* Buddy Miller , American country singer...

 and following Brown

Brown (surname)

Brown is a surname of English and Scottish origin. It also originates independently in the United States, as an Anglicization of several other surnames, such as the German Braun. Among the earliest recorded Browns is John Brown of Stamford, Lincolnshire, England in 1312. Brown is one of the most...

 in frequency. It is also semi-common amongst Ashkenazi Jews

Ashkenazi Jews

Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim , are the Jews descended from the medieval Jewish communities along the Rhine in Germany from Alsace in the south to the Rhineland in the north. Ashkenaz is the medieval Hebrew name for this region and thus for Germany...

 in Anglophone countries. This surname is also found in Ireland.

Also recorded in the spellings of Davies

Davies

Davies is a spelling variation of the patronymic English surname Davis, that means David, a Hebrew name meaning "beloved". Davies is much associated with Wales, owing to the name of its patron saint, David....

, Davie, and several others.

External links

• Davis Family Papers, 1829–1915 New-York Historical Society
  New-York Historical Society
  The New-York Historical Society is an American history museum and library located in New York City at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan. Founded in 1804 as New York's first museum, the New-York Historical Society presents exhibitions, public programs and research that...