first name Davys

I have an ancestor who has indicated his place of birth as Carrickfergus,
Ireland on the 1851 Census. After receiving his marriage certificate it
clearly states that his father's first name was Davys.

Is/was this a common Irish name or what would be an English version of it ?

Brian Skinner...

There's a Davys Street in Carrickfergus. When I lived in Carrickfergus
(over 50 years ago) it was quite a rough area. Possibly still is:
http://www.psni.police.uk/index/media_centre/press_releases/pg_press_releases_2005/pr_2005_october/pr_281005_robbery_carrickfergus.htm

Hugh Watkins...

see also

Last Name
davy

1. English and Irish: from the personal name Davy, a medieval French
vernacular form of the Biblical name David which became common in
England in the Middle Ages.
2. Scottish: variant spelling of Davie 1.
3. French: variant of David.

Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN
0-19-508137-4

aha

davy

English and Scottish: pet form of David. It is fairly extensively used
as an independent given name, particularly in Scotland. Variants: Davey,
Davie.

A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0192800507

more precise than my previous post
and a new freebie for us to enjoy :-)

Hugh W

Hugh Watkins...

son of David
patronymic
many variations world wide
Davis
Davies
Davidson
Davy diminutive . .

Hugh W

cheers,
Anthony