NameCensus.

UK surname

Davin

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic name Dáibhídh, meaning "beloved" or "friend".

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Davin surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 225, ranked #18,105, up from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Cardross and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wirral, Birmingham and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Davin is 237 in 2003. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 341.2%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

225

2016, ranked #18,105

Peak year

2003

237 bearers

Map years

5

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Davin had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 225 in 2016, ranked #18,105.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 133 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Davin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Davin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Davin 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 62 #22,232
1861 historical 133 #16,835
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 126 #20,604
1901 historical 89 #24,154
1911 historical 72 #25,642
1997 modern 190 #18,199
1998 modern 208 #17,693
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 231 #16,610
2001 modern 232 #16,314
2002 modern 236 #16,455
2003 modern 237 #16,191
2004 modern 222 #17,020
2005 modern 216 #17,283
2006 modern 218 #17,297
2007 modern 211 #17,856
2008 modern 230 #17,033
2009 modern 222 #17,797
2010 modern 222 #18,148
2011 modern 221 #18,039
2012 modern 219 #18,087
2013 modern 221 #18,252
2014 modern 223 #18,279
2015 modern 222 #18,225
2016 modern 225 #18,105

Geography

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Where Davins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Cardross, Manchester, Brighton and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wirral, Birmingham, County Durham, Purbeck and Trafford. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Cardross Dunbarton
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Brighton Sussex
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wirral 021 Wirral
2 Birmingham 010 Birmingham
3 County Durham 025 County Durham
4 Purbeck 004 Purbeck
5 Trafford 013 Trafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Davin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Davin

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Davin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Davin 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Davin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Davin 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

Davin falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Davin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Davin

The surname Davin has its origins in Ireland, tracing back to the ancient Gaelic name Ó Damháin or Ó Daimhín, meaning "descendant of Damhán" or "descendant of Daimhín." The name is believed to have originated in County Roscommon, where it was prominent in the baronies of Ballintober and Ballymoe.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Davin can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention several individuals with the name, including Tadhg Ó Damháin, who was killed in a battle in 1271.

In the 16th century, the Davin family held lands in County Roscommon and played a significant role in the local politics and conflicts of the time. One notable figure from this period was Edmond Davin, a supporter of the Irish rebel Hugh O'Neill, who was involved in the Nine Years' War against English rule in the late 16th century.

As the name spread beyond its original territory, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Davine, Devine, and Devin. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Davin spelling can be found in the Dublin King's Inns Admission Papers from 1607, which mention a Thomas Davin.

In the 18th century, several individuals with the surname Davin made their mark in various fields. James Davin (1703-1762) was an Irish Catholic priest and author, known for his work "An Exposition of the Church Catechism of Christian Doctrine." Nicholas Davin (1740-1826) was a notable Irish-born architect who worked in England and designed several churches and public buildings.

Another prominent figure was Edward Davin (1806-1890), an Irish-born educator and writer who emigrated to Canada. He served as the first principal of the University of Ottawa and was instrumental in establishing the institution's bilingual education system.

Moving into the 19th century, one of the most renowned individuals with the surname Davin was Nicholas Flood Davin (1840-1901), a Canadian lawyer, journalist, and politician. He played a significant role in the development of the Northwest Territories and was a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Assiniboia West.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Davin, a name with deep roots in Irish ancestry and a rich tapestry of stories and achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Davin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Davin 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. Lancashire leads with 23 Davins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.98x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 23 3.98x
Dunbartonshire 8 61.07x
Lanarkshire 8 5.07x
Cumberland 4 9.53x
Cheshire 1 0.93x
Durham 1 0.69x
Herefordshire 1 5.00x
Lincolnshire 1 1.28x
Middlesex 1 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.52x
Yorkshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heap in Lancashire leads with 14 Davins recorded in 1881 and an index of 456.03x.

Place Total Index
Heap 14 456.03x
Bothwell 8 186.92x
Cardross 7 445.86x
Liverpool 6 17.07x
Cleator 3 171.43x
Fulwood 2 317.46x
Bonhill 1 47.62x
Chester Castle 1 1666.67x
Clerkenwell London 1 8.69x
Grantham 1 98.04x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 15.92x
Hereford All Sts 1 108.70x
Nuthall 1 400.00x
St Bees 1 526.32x
Toxteth Park 1 5.10x
York St George 1 263.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Catherine 3
Alice 1
Ann 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Marcia 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
Edward 4
Thomas 3
James 1
Michael 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Davin households.

FAQ

Davin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Davin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Davin surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Davin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 225 in 2016. That gives Davin a modern rank of #18,105.

What does the Davin surname mean?

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic name Dáibhídh, meaning "beloved" or "friend".

What does the Davin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Davin 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.