Davies is a

patronymic A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, al ...

surname of English or Welsh origin. There are two main theories concerning its beginnings, neither of which has been definitively proven. The first theory contends that it may be a corruption of "

Dyfed Dyfed () is a preserved county in southwestern Wales. It is a mostly rural area with a coastline on the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel. Between 1974 and 1996, Dyfed was also the name of the area's county council and the name remains in use ...

", the name of a medieval Welsh kingdom located in what is now Carmarthenshire; however, the origin of the kingdom's name is itself disputed, with the traditional belief being that it was founded by the powerful Irish ''Déisi'' dynasty in the third century, or otherwise that it derives from the name of the Demetae people. "Dyfed" as a surname and the related first name "Dafydd" appear from the 12th century, with the latter generally translated into English as "David". The second theory states that it may derive directly from the

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

name "

David David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

", which is also the name of Wales' patron saint. The surname is the joint-second most common in Wales and the eighth most common in England, where a large percentage of people have Welsh ancestry. Retrieved 21 January 2014 It is particularly widespread in southwest England, especially

Cornwall Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...

, and in northwest England, large parts of which are on the border with Wales. It is uncommon in the United States, where the variant "

Davis Davis may refer to: Places Antarctica * Mount Davis (Antarctica) * Davis Island (Palmer Archipelago) * Davis Valley, Queen Elizabeth Land Canada * Davis, Saskatchewan, an unincorporated community * Davis Strait, between Nunavut and Gr ...

" is seen more. Retrieved 21 January 2014 In the United Kingdom, the surname is usually pronounced the same as "Davis" (). This pronunciation is also used by many other English-speaking countries, though it sometimes competes with , which is particularly common in the United States to distinguish it from "Davis".

Notable people with the surname

A

* Aaron Michael Davies (born 1984), American actor * Adam Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * A. Donald Davies, American Episcopal bishop * Adrian Davies (barrister), English barrister * Adrian Davies (rugby player), Welsh rugby footballer * Adrienne Davies, American musician * Alan Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Alec Davies, Scottish cricketer * Alex Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Alexandra Davies (born 1977), English-born Australian actress * Alice Davies (1870 – after 1919), British

suffragette A suffragette was a member of an activist women's organisation in the early 20th century who, under the banner "Votes for Women", fought for women's suffrage, the right to vote in public elections in the United Kingdom. The term refers in part ...

and nurse * Alphonso Davies (born 2000), Ghanaian-born Canadian soccer player * Alfred Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Alun Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Andrew Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Anne Davies (disambiguation), or Ann Davies, multiple people *

Anthony Davies Anthony Davies (born 2 December 1969) is a former Welsh professional snooker player. Davies started playing snooker aged 12. He made his first century break made aged 15 and his first maximum break aged 17. After winning a number of titles in ...

, Welsh snooker player * Antony Davies, American economist * Arthur Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Ashley Slanina-Davies, English actress

B

* Barbara Davies, English teacher and activist * Barry Davies, English sports commentator * Benjamin Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Bevan Davies, American drummer * Billie Davies, American drummer * Billy Davies, Scottish football manager * Bob Davies, American basketball player * Brandon Davies, American basketball player * Brenda Davies (1917–2013), wife and literary executor of Robertson Davies * Brian Davies, philosopher * Brian Davies, birth name of British illustrator and cartoonist Michael ffolkes * Bryan Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Bryn Davies Brinley Howard Davies, Baron Davies of Brixton (born 17 May 1944), known as Bryn Davies, is a British trade unionist, actuary and politician who was Leader of the Inner London Education Authority in the early 1980s. Davies graduated from t ...

, British trade unionist and politician

C

* Caitlin Davies, English writer * Carrie Davies, British broadcaster * Charles Lynn Davies, Wales rugby player * Charlie Davies, American footballer * Chris Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Christopher Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Clara Novello Davies Clara Novello Davies (7 April 1861 – 7 February 1943) was a Welsh singer, teacher and conductor. She used the pen name Pencerddes Morgannwg. Early life Clara Novello Davies was born in Cardiff to Jacob Davies, a miner, and Margaret (née Eva ...

, Welsh singer, mother of Ivor Novello * Clement Davies, British politician * Clement L. Davies, Canadian Christian minister and Ku Klux Klan supporter * Cliff Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Cooke Davies, Canadian politician * Curtis Davies, English footballer *

Cyril Davies Cyril Davies (23 January 1932 – 7 January 1964) was an English blues musician, and one of the first blues harmonica players in England. Biography Born at St Mildred's, 15 Hawthorn Drive, Willowbank, Denham, Buckinghamshire, he was the son ...

, English musician

D

* Dai Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Dangerous Davies Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies is the central character in a series of comic novels by Leslie Thomas and a TV series, '' The Last Detective'' made for ITV and starring Peter Davison. The first novel in the series had earlier been made ...

, fictional character from ''The Last Detective'' * Dave Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * David Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Deddie Davies (1938–2016), Welsh character actress * Denys Johnson-Davies, Canadian translator * Denzil Davies, British politician * Diana Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Dick Davies (1936–2012), American Olympic basketball player *

Dickie Davies Richard John Davies (born 30 April 1933) is a retired British television sports presenter, who anchored '' World of Sport'' from 1968 until 1985. Early life Davies attended Oldershaw Grammar School after passing his eleven-plus; he then did ...

, English television presenter * Domenick Davies, German rugby union international * Donald Davies (disambiguation), multiple people

E

* Ebenezer Thomas Davies (1903–1991), scholar and priest *

Ednyfed Hudson Davies Gwilym Ednyfed Hudson-Davies (4 December 1929 – 11 January 2018), known as Ednyfed Hudson Davies, was a Welsh politician and Member of Parliament (MP). He was born in Llanelli, the son of Ebenezer Curig Davies and his wife Enid (née Hughes). T ...

(1929–2018), Welsh politician * Edward Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Edwin Davies, British businessman and philanthropist * Edwin Davies (publisher) (1859–1919), Welsh publisher and editor * Emiko Davies, Australian-born food writer * Emily Davies, English feminist * Eric Davies, South African cricketer * Eva Davies (1924–2013), British fencer * Evan Thomas Davies (1878–1969), Welsh composer

F

* Frances Davies (born 1996), New Zealand field hockey player * Fred Davies (1939–2020), English footballer * Freddie Davies (born 1937), English comedian

G

* Gareth Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Garfield Davies, Baron Davies of Coity (1935–2019), British trade union leader * Gary Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Gavyn Davies, British banker and past BBC chairman *

Geoffrey Davies Geoffrey Davies (born 15 December 1942 in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire) is an English actor. Biography The son of an accountant, Davies was educated at grammar school and studied at art college to be a commercial artist before becoming ...

, English actor * George Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Geraint Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Gerald Davies Welsh rugby player *

Gordon Leslie Herries Davies Gordon Leslie Herries Davies (born Gordon Leslie Davies, 18 January 1932, Manchester – 22 February 2019, North Uist, Scotland) was a British and Irish geographer, specializing in geomorphology, and a historian of geography and geology. He was the ...

(1932–2019), British geographer and historian of geography and geology * Grant Davies, Australian canoer *

Greg Davies Gregory Daniel Davies ( ; born 14 May 1968) is a Welsh comedian, actor, presenter, and writer. He is best known for his roles as Greg in '' We Are Klang'', Mr Gilbert in ''The Inbetweeners'', Ken Thompson in '' Cuckoo'', the Taskmaster in '' T ...

, English comedian * Godfrey Davies, English historian * Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, English actress

H

* Henry Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Hilary Davies (born 1954), English poet, critic and translator * Hopkin Davies, Wales international rugby player * Howard Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Hugh Sykes Davies (1909–1984), English poet and academic *

Hunter Davies Edward Hunter Davies (born 7 January 1936) is a British author, journalist and broadcaster. His books include the only authorised biography of the Beatles. Early life Davies was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, to Scottish parents. For four ...

, Scottish writer * Huw Irranca-Davies, British politician

I

* Ian Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Idris Davies Idris Davies (6 January 1905 – 6 April 1953) was a Welsh poet. Born in Rhymney, near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, he became a poet, originally writing in Welsh, but later writing exclusively in English. He was the only poet to cover signif ...

, Welsh poet

J

* J. Glyn Davies, Welsh poet and scholar * Jack Davies (disambiguation), several people * Jack Llewelyn Davies, see Llewelyn Davies * Jackson Davies, Canadian actor * Jacob G. Davies (1795–1857), American politician * James Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Jeremy Davies (exorcist), English Catholic priest *

Jeremy Davies Jeremy Davies (né Boring; born October 8, 1969) is an American film and television actor. He is known for playing Ray Aibelli in '' Spanking the Monkey'' (1994), Corporal Upham in ''Saving Private Ryan'' (1998), Snow in '' Solaris'' (2002), B ...

, American actor * Jim Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Jimmy Davies, American racing driver * Jocelyn Davies, Welsh politician * Joe Davies (disambiguation) * John Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Jon Davies, American meteorologist and storm chaser * Jonathan Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Joseph Davies (disambiguation), multiple people

K

* Karl Davies, English television actor * Kay Davies, English geneticist * Ken Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Kevin Davies Kevin Cyril Davies (born 26 March 1977) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker for Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End. He managed Southport in the 2017 ...

, English footballer *

, British television director * Kieron Davies, German rugby union player *

Kimberley Davies Kimberley Davies (born 20 February 1973) is an Australian actress most famous for playing Annalise Hartman on the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1993 to 1996. She is sometimes credited as "Kimberly Davies". Life and career Davies w ...

, Australian actress * Kyle Davies, American baseball player * Kyle Davies, American soccer player

L

* L. P. Davies, British novelist *

Lane Davies Lane Davies (born July 31, 1951) is an American actor. Personal life Davies was born in Dalton, Georgia, the son of Emily and Bill Davies. He has three brothers—Bruce, George, and Whit. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with ...

, American actor * Laura Davies, English golfer * Libby Davies, Canadian politician * Lilian May Davies, later Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland * Lindy Davies, Australian actress * Llewellyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies, British general * Lorys Davies, British Anglican priest * Louis Henry Davies, Canadian politician * Luke Davies, Australian writer * Lyndal Davies, Australian wildlife documentary maker *

Lynn Davies Lynn Davies CBE (born 20 May 1942) is a Welsh former track and field athlete who specialised in the long jump. He was the 1964 Olympic champion in the event. He was born in Nantymoel near Bridgend and was a member of the Cardiff Amateur At ...

, British athlete

M

* M. C. Davies (1835–1913), Australian businessman * Mandy Rice-Davies (1944–2014), Welsh model * Marcus Davies (born 1991), Australian rules footballer * Marianne Davies, English musician *

Marion Davies Marion Davies (born Marion Cecilia Douras; January 3, 1897 – September 22, 1961) was an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist. Educated in a religious convent, Davies fled the school to pursue a career as a chorus girl ...

(1897–1961), American actress * Mark Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Marshall Davies (born 1930), American musician; pianist, professor * Martin Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Mary Elizabeth Davies (1925–2015), Welsh chess master * Matthew Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Mervyn Davies (1946–2012), Welsh rugby player * Michael Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Mike Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Mims Davies (born 1975), British Conservative politician, MP for Eastleigh since 2015 * A. Morley Davies (1869–1959), British paleontologist

N

* Nicholas Barry Davies, British ethologist, ornithologist and professor at the

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

* Nicholas Llewelyn Davies, see Llewelyn Davies * Nick Davies, British journalist * Nicola Davies (disambiguation), multiple people *

Norman Davies Ivor Norman Richard Davies (born 8 June 1939) is a Welsh-Polish historian, known for his publications on the history of Europe, Poland and the United Kingdom. He has a special interest in Central and Eastern Europe and is UNESCO Profess ...

, English historian

O

* Oliver Ford Davies, English actor * Owen Davies (disambiguation), multiple people

P

* Patricia Davies, Zimbabwean field hockey player * Paul Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Peter Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Peter Ho Davies, English author * Peter Llewelyn Davies, see Llewelyn Davies *

Peter Maxwell Davies Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (8 September 1934 – 14 March 2016) was an English composer and conductor, who in 2004 was made Master of the Queen's Music. As a student at both the University of Manchester and the Royal Manchester College of Mus ...

(1934–2016), English composer * Philip Davies, British politician *

Philip R. Davies Philip R. Davies (1945–2018) was a British biblical scholar. He was Professor Emeritus of biblical studies at the University of Sheffield, England. In the late 1990s, he was the Director for the Centre for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He w ...

, British scholar * A. Powell Davies, American Unitarian Minister

Q

* Quentin Davies, British politician

R

* R.E.G. Davies, English scholar and aviation writer * R.G. Davies, English entomologist *

Ray Davies Sir Raymond Douglas Davies ( ; born 21 June 1944) is an English musician. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother Dave on lead guitar and backing vo ...

, English musician and member of

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhy ...

* Reine Davies, American actress * Rees Davies, Welsh historian * Rhett Davies, producer * Rhys Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Richard Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Richard Gareth Davies, English entomologist *

Rick Davies Richard Davies (born 22 July 1944) is an English musician, singer and songwriter best known as founder, vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Supertramp. Davies was its only constant member, and composed some of the band's best known songs ...

, English musician with

Supertramp Supertramp were an English rock band that formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), they are distinguished for blending ...

* Robert Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Rob Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Robertson Davies, Canadian author * Robin Davies (1954–2010), Welsh actor * Roger Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Ron Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Ronald Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Rosemary Davies, American actress * Rosina Davies (1863–1949), Welsh evangelist * Roy Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Rupert Davies, English actor * Russell Davies, Welsh television personality *

Russell T Davies Stephen Russell Davies (born 27 April 1963), better known as Russell T Davies, is a Welsh screenwriter and television producer whose works include ''Queer as Folk'', '' The Second Coming'', '' Casanova'', the 2005 revival of the BBC One sc ...

, Welsh television writer *

Ryan Davies Ryan Davies (22 January 1937 – 22 April 1977) was a Welsh comedian, actor, musician, singer, and songwriter. Though his career lasted just 11 years, he became widely known in Wales through his work with Ronnie Williams as the comedic double a ...

, Welsh entertainer

S

* Sally Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Sam Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Samuel Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Sara Davies (born 1984), British businesswoman * Sarah Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Scott Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Sean Davies (born 1973), Zimbabwean cricketer * Sean Davies (footballer) (born 1985), English footballer *

Sharron Davies Sharron Elizabeth Davies, (born 1 November 1962) is an English former competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics and European championships and competed for England in the Commonwealth Games. Davies has attended 12 ...

(born 1962), English swimmer * Shona Rapira Davies, New Zealand artist * Siobhan Davies, English dancer * Simon Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * S. O. Davies, British politician * Sonja Davies, New Zealand trade unionist and politician * Stan Davies (1898–1972), Welsh international footballer * Stephen Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * Steven Davies, English cricketer * Stevie Davies, Welsh novelist * Stewart Davies, English football chairman * Stuart Davies (rugby union) (born 1965), Welsh rugby union player *

Sue Jones-Davies Sue Jones-Davies (born 1 January 1949) is a Welsh actress, singer and local politician. She played Judith Iscariot in the film ''Monty Python's Life of Brian'' (1979) and was Mayor of Aberystwyth from 2008 to 2009. Early life and education Sue ...

, Welsh actress and singer * Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (1866–1910), mother of the boys who served as the inspiration for

Peter Pan Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythi ...

T

* T. Glynne Davies, Welsh poet and broadcaster * Terence Davies, English film director * Theophilus Harris Davies, British businessman * Thomas Davies (disambiguation), includes Tom Davies * Tim Davies (disambiguation) * Tod Davies, American screenwriter * Trefor Davies, Welsh cricketer * Tru Davies, fictional eponymous character in Tru Calling

V

* Valentine Davies, American film director * Vanessa Lloyd-Davies (1960–2005), British doctor, equestrian and soldier

W

* W. H. Davies, Welsh poet and writer * W. P. C. Davies, English rugby player and headmaster * W. R. Davies, second president (1941–1959) of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire *

Walford Davies Sir Henry Walford Davies (6 September 1869 – 11 March 1941) was an English composer, organist, and educator who held the title Master of the King's Music from 1934 until 1941. He served with the Royal Air Force during the First World War, du ...

, English composer * William Davies (disambiguation), multiple people * William Rupert Davies, former Canadian senator *

Windsor Davies Windsor Davies (28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019) was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981) over its entire run. The show's popularity resulted ...

(1930–2019), English actor

Z

* Zach Davies, American baseball player

Notes

References

{{surname English-language surnames Hebrew-language surnames Surnames of Welsh origin Anglicised Welsh-language surnames Anglo-Cornish surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names

Notable people with the surname

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Z

See also

Notes

References