Surname Davison - Meaning and Origin

Ancestral Odyssey: Unveiling the Genetic Tapestry of the Davison Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test has shined a light on the colourful tapestry of the Davison lineage. The unexpected revelations suggest that our heritage is a rich blend of Celtic, Jewish, Viking, and Middle Eastern genes. These findings reflect the complex picture of human migration, adaptation, and cultural interchange that characterised our ancestors’ world.

E. Davison

Davison: What does the surname Davison mean?

The surname Davison is of English and Scottish origin and is a patronymic name derived from the first name David. It essentially means "son of David." The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved." So, metaphorically, the name Davison could be interpreted as "son of the beloved." It was a common practice in medieval England and Scotland to create a surname by adding “-son” to the father's first name, and Davison is one such example. Over time, these names became hereditary surnames passed down through generations. The name became popular due to the biblical King David, and was brought to Britain by the Normans during the Norman Conquest in 1066. Various spellings of the name exist, including Davidson, Davisson, and Davison.

Davison: Where does the name Davison come from?

The surname Davison is of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from the personal name David, which means "beloved", combined with the suffix "son". Thus, the name translates to "son of David". Having been around since the Middle Ages, it became quite common especially in England and Scotland.

Today, the name Davison is still quite prevalent in the United Kingdom, notably in England and Scotland. Additionally, due to historical migrations, particularly during the era of British colonialism, the surname spread to numerous other parts around the globe too. It is now fairly common in countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its spread across various continents, the highest concentration of individuals with the Davison surname still appears to be in the United Kingdom. The name is also frequently seen in Northern Ireland, signifying historical migration from Scotland and England to this region. Therefore, despite its global spread due to historical diaspora, the highest prevalence of the Davison surname remains largely within the British Isles.

Variations of the surname Davison

The surname Davison is of English and Scottish origin and is a patronymic form of "David," meaning "son of David." Variants of this surname in Britain and Ireland include Davidson, Davidsen, Davison, Daveson, Davisson, and Dawison. Other international variants include Davisov, Davidovich, Davidovitch, Davidsson, and Davidescu.

Some of these, such as Davidsson, are likely due to the name being adopted in countries like Sweden, where the "sson" ending is common. Similarly, names like Davidovich and Davidovitch would be found in Russian or Slavic cultures, where the "ovich" or "ovitch" ending means "son of."

Slight alterations in spelling such as Daveson are probably due to phonetic spelling or errors carried over through generations. The same holds for Davidsen, which could be a Dutch or Danish variant.

In Northern Ireland, the surname Davison may also have appeared as Dawson due to pronunciation differences. It should be noted, some surnames may have evolved separately and only become connected due to similar spellings or pronunciations.

It's also common for some people with the surname Davison to simply use Davis, truncating the name, likely for simplicity. In summary, while Davison and its variants originated as patronymic surnames, cultural influences, and geographic dispersions all contributed to the different spellings and iterations we see today.

Famous people with the name Davison

• Bruce Davison: Actor who has appeared in films such as X-Men, Longtime Companion, and WarGames.
• Paul Davison: English footballer who played for numerous professional clubs.
• Martha Davison: American writer of mystery novels.
• Julie Davison: Actress who is best known for starring in Dynasty and other television series.
• Jonathan Davison: British singer-songwriter who was the lead vocalist and frontman for the band White Lies.
• Will Davison: Australian professional race car driver.
• David Davison: American actor who has appeared in various films and television series.
• Elizabeth Davison: British botanist known for her work with seeds and genetic fluctuations.
• Lisa Davison: Professional snowboarder who is considered one of the pioneers for female skateboarders.
• Richard Davison: British dressage rider and trainer who has coached many riders to the Olympics.

Other surnames

DavisDavisson