Davís

Davís is a surname of patronymic origin, primarily a variant of the more common English and Welsh surnames Davis and Davies. The root is the given name David, traditionally understood to mean "beloved" in Hebrew, and the surname generally denotes "son of David." In Wales, the patronymic form Davies is especially common, while Davis is widespread in England and Ireland. The diacritic form Davís is uncommon and most often appears in records where Spanish-language orthography has been applied to non-Spanish names, or as a stylized or regional variant in family names. The accent does not universally indicate a different pronunciation, but in some contexts it marks stress according to the language.

Distribution and usage: The name is found worldwide due to migration and diaspora. In Welsh and English-speaking countries, Davies and Davis are far more prevalent; Davís is rare and usually identifiable as a historical or genealogical variant. In Latin American and Iberian contexts, the accent may appear in written records for individuals of Welsh or English descent, or through transcription of non-accented forms.

Notable people: Because Davís is relatively uncommon, there are few widely known individuals with the exact spelling; the name persists mainly in genealogical and archival sources.

See also: Davis (surname); Davies (surname).