This is a very interesting surname. Altough usually English, it has two possible origins. This first is as a derivative of the famous personal name "David", a popular given name throughout the British Isles during the Middle Ages. Derived from the Hebrew word meaning "beloved", it was one of a large group of similar biblical names introduced into Europe from the Holy Land by the famous crusaders of the 12th century. Its popularity was due in part to the fame of the king of Israel, and much later to its being the name of the patron saint of Wales.
It was also the name of two kings of Scotland: These were David 1st, who reigned from 1124 - 1153, and David 11nd, 1329 - 1371. In England the personal name is recorded in 1150 in Lincolnshire as "Dauid clericus", and as "Davit" in 1278, in Cambridgeshire. The second possible origin for the modern surname spellings of Day, Daye, Dey, Deye, or the unusual D'Eye, is the Olde English pre 7th century personal name "Daei". This is from the word 'daeg', meaning 'day', and it may also be a short form of the compound personal names such as Daegberht and Daegmund, translating as "day-bright" and "day-protection". The early surname development includes: Aluric Dai of Berkshire in 1196, and Ralph Deie of Leicestershire in 1211. Other recordings include Arthur de Yes, recorded at the church of St Gregory's by St Pauls, London, on December 16th 1619, whilst Richard Day was an early emigrant to America, leaving London on the ship "Plaine Joan" in May 1635, bound for Virginia. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Godina Daia, which was dated 1095, in "Feudal Documents from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds", Suffolk. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Research into the possible origins of day leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname day is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname day, and in addition to the original locations of day, we can find out where people with the surname day can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of day.
There is a considerable probability that day has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where day is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname day provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname day has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named day are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname day, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of day developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname day are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname day.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of day could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about day and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname day or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of day.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname day, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname day were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like day can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname day, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname day, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of day are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname day, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of day.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of day, and at the same time, of surnames in general.