UK surname
A surname derived from the Old French word "davien" meaning "to descend" or "to come from."
In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Daven surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #31,604 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Farndon, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Daven is 155 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.3%.
1881 census count
14
Ranked #31,604
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
155 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Daven surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Daven surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 4 | #32,658 |
| 1861 | historical | 155 | #14,881 |
| 1881 | historical | 14 | #31,604 |
| 1891 | historical | 48 | #30,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 18 | #32,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 11 | #32,463 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 28 | #35,080 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 22 | #36,105 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 22 | #36,281 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 22 | #36,462 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 19 | #36,641 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 20 | #36,654 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Farndon, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Manchester, Lambeth and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farndon | Cheshire |
| 2 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Daven surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Daven, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Daven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Daven household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Daven is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Daven is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Daven, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Daven has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "dæfene," which means "deaf" or "silent." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or descriptive name given to someone who was deaf or particularly quiet.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daven can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, an extensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is spelled as "Dauene" in this historical document, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that time.
In the 13th century, the surname Daven appeared in various forms, such as "de Davene" and "de Davenne," suggesting a connection to a specific place or locality. These place names may have been derived from the Old English word "dæfene," indicating that the surname originated from a place where deaf or silent individuals lived or gathered.
One notable figure from history bearing the surname Daven was Sir John Daven (c. 1370-1445), a prominent English knight and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire during the reign of Henry VI. Another early record is that of William Daven (c. 1420-1498), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of London.
In the 16th century, the surname appeared in records as "Davene" and "Davenne," further illustrating the variations in spelling over time. During this period, Richard Daven (c. 1525-1590) was a respected scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of Bristol Cathedral.
As the centuries progressed, the surname continued to evolve, with spellings like "Davon" and "Davon" appearing in various historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Captain James Daven (c. 1670-1735), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the War of the Spanish Succession.
By the 18th century, the spelling "Daven" had become more standardized, and several individuals with this surname made their mark in various fields. For example, Sir William Daven (1745-1821) was a prominent British politician and landowner, while John Daven (1770-1835) was a respected author and poet.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Daven surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 3 Davens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.85x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.85x |
| Dunbartonshire | 2 | 54.50x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 20.28x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 3.32x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 6.47x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.73x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 2.17x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.50x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 5.61x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 2 Davens recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.94x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bedwellty | 2 | 114.94x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 2 | 77.82x |
| Bury | 1 | 54.05x |
| Cardross | 1 | 227.27x |
| Darlaston | 1 | 156.25x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 29.76x |
| Illogan | 1 | 243.90x |
| Knutsford Nether | 1 | 555.56x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 8.40x |
| Ribbesford | 1 | 666.67x |
| Row | 1 | 212.77x |
| Sunk Island | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Daven surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Daven surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Daven households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Ag Laborer In Door | 1 |
| Dock Yard Laborer | 1 |
| Factory Hand (Bolt) | 1 |
| Farm Lab (Farm Serv) | 1 |
| Gentleman's Outfitter (T) | 1 |
| Hat Triming Manufacturer | 1 |
| Landress | 1 |
| Red Mine Filler | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Daven surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Daven a modern rank of #36,457.
A surname derived from the Old French word "davien" meaning "to descend" or "to come from."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Daven bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.