NameCensus.

UK surname

Davids

Patronymic surname derived from the given name David, meaning "beloved" in Hebrew.

In the 1881 census there were 216 people recorded with the Davids surname, ranking it #12,222 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 596, ranked #8,758, up from #12,222 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Llanbeblig, London parishes and Dartford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Alloa South and East, Wandsworth and Hart.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Davids is 633 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 175.9%.

1881 census count

216

Ranked #12,222

Modern count

596

2016, ranked #8,758

Peak year

1861

633 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Davids had 216 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,222 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016, ranked #8,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 633 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Davids surname distribution map

The map shows where the Davids surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Davids surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Davids over time

The 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 209 #10,066
1861 historical 633 #4,233
1881 historical 216 #12,222
1891 historical 470 #7,798
1901 historical 180 #16,171
1911 historical 221 #14,044
1997 modern 320 #12,966
1998 modern 310 #13,578
1999 modern 307 #13,757
2000 modern 300 #13,904
2001 modern 270 #14,734
2002 modern 299 #14,017
2003 modern 283 #14,368
2004 modern 307 #13,685
2005 modern 342 #12,579
2006 modern 366 #12,042
2007 modern 381 #11,798
2008 modern 406 #11,328
2009 modern 424 #11,179
2010 modern 466 #10,595
2011 modern 458 #10,630
2012 modern 472 #10,295
2013 modern 498 #10,049
2014 modern 530 #9,669
2015 modern 554 #9,252
2016 modern 596 #8,758

Geography

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Where Davids' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Llanbeblig, London parishes, Dartford, St Dunstan Stepney and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Alloa South and East, Wandsworth, Hart and Tendring. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Llanbeblig Carnarvonshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dartford Kent
4 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Alloa South and East Clackmannanshire
2 Wandsworth 037 Wandsworth
3 Hart 010 Hart
4 Tendring 001 Tendring
5 Tendring 004 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Davids

These lists show first names that appear often with the Davids surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Davids

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Davids, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Davids surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Davids household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Davids is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Davids is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Davids falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Davids is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Davids, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Davids

The surname DAVIDS is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It originated in Wales and England during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is a variant of the more common surname David, which is derived from the Hebrew given name David, meaning "beloved."

In its early form, the surname DAVIDS was often spelled with the patronymic prefix "ap" or "ab," signifying "son of." For example, it might have appeared as "ap David" or "ab David." Over time, these prefixes were dropped, and the name became simply DAVIDS.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DAVIDS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the late 12th century, where a person named Odo Davids is mentioned. In the 13th century, the surname is recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where a John Davids is listed.

During the medieval period, the surname DAVIDS was particularly prevalent in the Welsh counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, as well as in the English counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name may have originated in these regions and then spread to other parts of Britain.

Notable individuals throughout history who bore the surname DAVIDS include:

1. John Davids (c. 1545-1622), an English clergyman and author who wrote a treatise on the Hebrew language. 2. Thomas Davids (c. 1640-1694), a Welsh Puritan writer and minister who published several religious works. 3. Samuel Davids (1719-1796), a Welsh Baptist minister and author known for his theological writings. 4. Henry Davids (1784-1858), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear admiral. 5. Caroline Davids (1835-1909), a British author and poet who wrote under the pen name "Claude Lake."

The surname DAVIDS has also been associated with various place names over the centuries, such as Davids Town in County Waterford, Ireland, and Davids Hill in Worcestershire, England. These place names may have been derived from individuals bearing the surname or vice versa.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Davids families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Davids surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 82 Davids' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.89x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 82 3.89x
Glamorgan 29 7.90x
Surrey 21 2.05x
Kent 20 2.78x
Lancashire 19 0.76x
Caernarfonshire 9 10.56x
Herefordshire 5 5.79x
Cheshire 4 0.86x
Hampshire 4 0.93x
Brecknockshire 3 7.12x
Oxfordshire 3 2.31x
Pembrokeshire 3 4.48x
Essex 2 0.48x
Sussex 2 0.56x
Cumberland 1 0.55x
Derbyshire 1 0.30x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.77x
Lanarkshire 1 0.15x
Lincolnshire 1 0.30x
Merionethshire 1 2.59x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.35x
Staffordshire 1 0.14x
Warwickshire 1 0.19x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town London in Middlesex leads with 20 Davids' recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.60x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town London 20 44.60x
Dartford 14 190.48x
Hammersmith London 10 19.27x
Lambeth 10 5.44x
Llanbeblig 9 104.05x
Llangynwyd Middle 9 1914.89x
Chelsea London 6 9.45x
Hampton London 6 173.41x
Friern Barnet 5 107.76x
Kings Pyon 5 1515.15x
Llanguick 5 76.10x
Moston 5 199.20x
Newington 5 6.42x
Tottenham 5 14.90x
West Derby 5 6.84x
Bromley London 4 8.63x
Pencoed 4 701.75x
Ratcliffe London 4 34.36x
St Martin In Fields 4 31.72x
St Thomas Winchester 4 131.15x
Toxteth Park 4 4.72x
Tythegston Higher 4 360.36x
Ystradyfodwg 4 12.43x
Camberwell 3 2.23x
Clerkenwell London 3 6.03x
Sittingbourne 3 52.82x
St Davids 3 197.37x
Battersea 2 2.58x
Birkenhead 2 5.40x
Bodicote 2 400.00x
Brecknock St John 2 56.34x
Eastry 2 200.00x
Fulham London 2 6.54x
Islington London 2 0.98x
Liverpool 2 1.32x
St Andrew Holborn London 2 21.93x
St George In East London 2 10.09x
West Ham 2 2.18x
Annesley 1 93.46x
Barony 1 0.58x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.94x
Baslow With Bubnell 1 163.93x
Bonhill 1 11.00x
Borrowdale 1 312.50x
Brighton 1 1.40x
Cardiff St John 1 8.35x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.95x
Croydon 1 1.75x
Dukinfield 1 4.65x
Great Grimsby 1 4.68x
Harborne 1 4.39x
Hulme 1 1.92x
Kirkdale 1 2.38x
Lancing 1 102.04x
Leamington Priors 1 7.65x
Lewisham 1 2.61x
Llanelly 1 19.84x
Llanfihangel Y Traethau 1 45.66x
Middle Temple London 1 1428.57x
Monks Coppenhall 1 5.70x
Neithrop 1 22.88x
Paddington London 1 1.29x
Ripon 1 20.66x
Roath 1 6.00x
Spitalfields London 1 6.31x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.69x
Twickenham 1 11.07x
Westminster St James 1 4.62x
Westminster St Margaret 1 9.84x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Davids surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 10
Sarah 6
Elizabeth 5
Ann 4
Amelia 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Anna 2
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Henrietta 2
Lizzie 2
Maria 2
Nancy 2
Rachel 2
Rebecca 2
Sophie 2
Agnes 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Cath 1
Dinah 1
Dorethea 1
Ella 1
Emma 1
Emmy 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Fredrika 1
Gilian 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Jessia 1
Joan 1
Julia 1
Katherine 1
Leondra 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Miriam 1
Nonette 1
Tryphena 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Davids surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 10
William 8
David 7
Charles 5
George 5
Thomas 5
Henry 4
Edward 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Chas. 2
Frederick 2
Hugh 2
Sidney 2
Edwd.James 1
Ernest 1
Evan 1
Ferdinand 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk.A. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Sorrell 1
Gerard 1
Herbert 1
Herman 1
Idris 1
Jabez 1
Jacob 1
James 1
Josiah 1
Julias 1
Julius 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Liepmann 1
Louis 1
Michal 1
Moses 1
Moss 1
Nils 1
Philip 1
Rees 1
Robert 1
Rupert 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Davids surname: questions and answers

How common was the Davids surname in 1881?

In 1881, 216 people were recorded with the Davids surname. That placed it at #12,222 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Davids surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016. That gives Davids a modern rank of #8,758.

What does the Davids surname mean?

Patronymic surname derived from the given name David, meaning "beloved" in Hebrew.

What does the Davids map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Davids bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.