Surname Daw - Meaning and Origin

Daw: What does the surname Daw mean?

The surname Daw originated in England and Anglo-Saxon regions. The English version is derived from the Old English personal name "Dawe", a pet form of "David", which means "beloved". Over time, "Dawe" evolved to "Daw". In some cases, Daw may also come from the Middle English word “daw”, meaning a jackdaw, a type of bird, and would have originally been a nickname for someone thought to resemble such a bird, perhaps in the sense of being chatty or mischievous. It is quite common for surnames to derive from nicknames or descriptive terms, often related to a person's appearance, personality, occupation, or locality. As a surname, Daw is found mostly in the southwest of England, especially in Devon. Notable personalities with this name include Michael Daw, an Australian politician, and Simon Daw, a British artist. As with any surname, genealogical research can reveal more information about specific family lines.

Daw: Where does the name Daw come from?

The surname Daw is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name David. It was common in Medieval England and during the Middle Ages, it was often written as 'Dawe'. After the Norman conquest in 1066, the use of surnames became more common in Britain to distinguish people with the same first names. As such, patronymic surnames like Daw, which are derived from the original bearer's father or ancestor, started to be used.

Daw is relatively more common in Western countries including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. It is notably prevalent in Cornwall, a county in southwestern England, due to historical concentrations of the Daw family. The surname is also found in Wales, reflecting the distribution of the personal name David.

There is also a presence of the Daw surname in several African countries, particularly North African Arabic-speaking countries. This is due to the existence of the Arabic name Daw (also spelled Daoud or Dawud), which is also a version of the name David.

Variations of the surname Daw

The surname Daw is of English origin and is derived from David, a popular first name during the Middle Ages. The variations and similar surnames include Dawe, Daws, Dow, Dowe, Doh, and Do. These surnames might have originated due to regional dialects and differences in spelling over time and place. The spelling variation with "e" at the end, like Dawe or Dowe, is often found in the regions of Southwest England.

Also, similar surnames of foreign origins, such as the German 'Dau' and Russian 'Dav' may have been anglicised to 'Daw' under different immigration circumstances. Therefore, while closely sounding or spelled, these may not have the same ancestry as 'Daw'.

Moreover, Dawkins and Dawson, that seemingly echo 'Daw', actually represent patronymic forms meaning 'son of Daw'. Despite the same root name 'Daw' shared with 'Daw', these surnames can relate to a different lineage, establishing familial links via male ancestors named Daw.

Remember, tracing the true ancestry of a surname precisely can be complex due to many historical factors including migration, language transformation and cultural assimilation since surnames were first adopted.

Famous people with the name Daw

• Dominick Dawes: A famous American ice hockey coach.
• Sylvia Carol Daw: Known as Sylvia Syms, she is an English actress.
• Stevie Ray Daw: Known professionally as Stevie Ray, is a retired American professional wrestler.
• Ben Daw: An Australian footballer.
• Majak Daw: A professional Australian rules footballer.
• David T. Daw: A digital communications strategist recognized for his work with NASA.
• Charles Gates Dawes: He was an American banker, general, diplomat, and Republican politician who was the 30th Vice President of the United States from 1925 to 1929.
• James William Dawes: served as the 24th and 26th Governor of Nebraska.
• Carol Daw: A South African cricketer.
• Rufus Dawes: was a Brigadier General from the state of Ohio during the American Civil War.
• Bill Dawes: is an American actor, playwright, and nationally touring stand-up comedian.
• Evan Daw: A former American football player.

Other surnames

DawaltDawdyDaweDawerDawesDawidDawideitDawidenasDawidsDawidtDawitDawkinDawkingDawkinsDawleyDawlyDawneyDawoodDawsDawseyDawsonDawsyDawtreyDawtryDawudDaww