Daves
Patronymic surname derived from the given name Dave or David, meaning "beloved" or "uncle."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,667 Americans carry the last name Daves. That puts it at #10,189 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 93,470 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Daves surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
3.7K
1 in 93,470
Census rank
#10,189
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,163 bearers of the surname Daves in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10189th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Daves, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.3%) and Hispanic (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Daves
The surname Daves is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old English personal name David, which ultimately traces its roots back to the Hebrew name "David" meaning "beloved."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Daves surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as de Daves and Daves, suggesting its widespread use during that time.
The Daves surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. Some historical references indicate that the name may have been associated with certain occupations or professions, such as shepherding or farming, as many surnames during that era were derived from the trades or professions of their bearers.
Notable individuals bearing the Daves surname include Sir John Daves (c. 1350-1420), who was a prominent English landowner and military commander during the Hundred Years' War. Another notable figure was Robert Daves (c. 1470-1535), a scholar and clergyman who served as the Bishop of Thetford in the early 16th century.
In the 17th century, the Daves surname was found in various records, including parish registers and tax rolls. One noteworthy individual from this period was William Daves (1605-1682), a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire who was known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting local charities and educational institutions.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Daves surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with some families migrating to other regions or countries. One notable figure from this era was Elizabeth Daves (1780-1856), a writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education reform.
Throughout its history, the Daves surname has been subject to various spelling variations, including Daves, Davys, Davy, and Davyes, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and orthography during earlier periods. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, tracing back to its Old English and Hebrew roots.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Daves
Among Census respondents with the surname Daves, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.3%) and Hispanic (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Daves bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Daves surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White83.8%
- Black or African American10.3%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Daves surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #10,189 | #10,189 | 0.0% |
| Count | 3,163 | 3,163 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.07 | 1.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Daves bearers went from 3,163 to 3,163 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #10,189 to #10,189.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Daves
FAQ
Daves surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Daves?
The surname Daves holds position #10,189 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,667 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Daves surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Daves, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.3%) and Hispanic (3.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.