The name Davis originated as an English surname derived from the given name David, which has Hebrew roots meaning "beloved". It emerged as a common first name in use during the Middle Ages, between the 5th and 15th centuries.

The name Davis can be traced back to the biblical figure King David, a ruler of ancient Israel mentioned in the Old Testament. Born around 1040 BCE, he was renowned for slaying the giant Goliah and later becoming the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Davis was Davis Dolben, an English bishop and clergyman born in 1640. He served as the Bishop of Bangor and later became the Bishop of New Sarum (Salisbury) in the late 17th century.

Another notable Davis from history was Davis Mell Gregg (1833-1916), a American military officer who fought for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He achieved the rank of Major General and participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In the field of science, Davis Grubb (1919-1980) was an American author and novelist best known for his novel "Night of the Hunter", which was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film. He was born in Muncie, Indiana and his works often explored themes of good versus evil.

Davis Love III (born 1964) is a professional golfer from the United States who has won numerous PGA Tour events, including the 1997 PGA Championship. He has also represented the United States in several Ryder Cup competitions.

Finally, Davis Guggenheim (born 1963) is an American filmmaker and documentary director, best known for his Academy Award-winning film "An Inconvenient Truth" about former Vice President Al Gore's campaign to raise awareness of global warming.