Surname Devoy - Meaning and Origin
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Devoy: What does the surname Devoy mean?
The last name Devoy is an extremely unique and rare name. Originating from the United Kingdom, the name is thought to have descended from the Anglo-Norman invasion. The name itself is thought to be a topographical name, meaning 'the person who dwelled in the valley or lowland'.
The Devoy family has a long and distinguished lineage, most prominently as part of the Church of Ireland, and within certain military Generals associated with the Napoleonic War. It is therefore unsurprising why the Devoy family has a significant place in Irish history, particularly in the turbulent politics of 17th and 18th century Ireland.
The Devoy family is known to have a strong sense of community, having been a close knit group for many generations. The whole family is proud of its history and of the remarkable work its ancestors have achieved. The legacy of the Devoy's can be seen in the many monuments and memorials to its successful and courageous members, in countries as far as Scotland and Australia.
The Devoy family is known for its strong work ethic, loyalty, and fierce spirit. Combined together, these family values make the Devoy's an inspiring and unique last name.
Order DNA origin analysisDevoy: Where does the name Devoy come from?
The last name Devoy is most commonly found in Ireland today. According to Irish Surnames, it originated in County Kilkenny in Munster province and first appeared in the records around 1212. The Devoy surname is still common in the area today.
The other nations where there are populations of the Devoy surname are the United States, England, Scotland, Canada, and Australia. It is estimated that there are upwards of 5,000 people with the name Devoy living in these countries. In the US, the Devoy name is most popular in the states of California and New York.
In England, the surname very widespread and can be found in many parts of the country. A more prominent area for the Devoy name is in London where there is a greater population of Irish descent.
Across the Atlantic in Australia and New Zealand, the surname’s presence is somewhat smaller, but it is still quite common in certain regions with significant Irish diaspora.
In summary, the surname Devoy is most common in Ireland today, where it originated, and is also found in relatively high numbers in the United States, England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Devoy
The surname Devoy is of Irish/Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic Ó Dubhuidh. Devoy appears as a variant spelling of O’Devoy/O’Doherty or in the Anglicized forms of Devoi, DeVoy, deVoy and deVoi. The name was first recorded in Leinster in County Carlow, and took on many branches that were indigenous to various parts of Ireland.
The different spelling variants of Devoy are Dwyer, O’Dwyer, Dwire, Dwire and Doe. There are several surnames that have the same origin as Devoy, including Doherty, O’Doherty, O’Dougherty, Duffy, MacDuff, McDougall, McDowall, and MacDougall among others.
Other variants of Devoy include O’Devoy, O’Divoy, O’Divaigh, O’Dafaigh, O’Devagh, MacItemple, Itemple, Temples and Tample. These variants often derive from place names, such as Temple and Tample (from Banagher in County Offaly), MacItimple (from Kilcumon in County Dublin) and Devagh (from Laois in Leinster).
The Devoy surname is quite common in Ireland, found mainly in Counties Carlow, Dublin, Laois and Offaly. It is also found in small pockets in Connacht, mainly in Mayo and Galway. In some cases, Devoy can be an Anglicization of other Gaelic and Irish surnames, such as Ó Deamhain or Ó Damhain (both of which are found mainly in Clare). The Devoy surname is also found in Scotland, where it is an Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac Dhuibhidh.
Famous people with the name Devoy
- Daniel Devoy: Irish actor best known for his roles in the Australian films “Wolf Creek” and “The Hunter.”
- Bob Devoy: former American football player who played in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1988.
- Mary Devoy: professional beach volleyball player, who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and forty-four other international tournaments.
- Nicola Devoy: award-winning British documentary director, producer and writer who has produced films for the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic.
- Brian Devoy: Irish politician who served as a Teachta Dála from 2011 to 2020.
- David Devoy: former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2004 to 2010.
- Patrick Devoy: Irish rugby union player who represented his country in the 1960 Olympics.
- Ruth Devoy: Irish dressage rider who competed at the 1992 Olympic Games.
- Colm Devoy: Irish Gaelic football player who has represented his home County of Kildare at all levels.
- Michael Devoy: professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs from 1993 to 2000.