The Davenport Family History

What Does the Davenport Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Davenport is of English origin, deriving from the Celtic word 'dafnu,' which translates to 'to trickle' or 'to drop,' combined with the Old English term 'port,' meaning 'market place. ' Variants of the name include Donarty, Davenporte, and Devonport. The Davenport surname traces its roots to Cheshire county in England, from where it subsequently spread into the neighboring counties of Staffordshire and Lancashire. Smaller populations of individuals bearing the surname can be found throughout much of England and Wales. Additionally, numerous Davenport families reside in the Scottish counties of Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire. In the United States, the highest concentrations of the surname are found in the states of Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia. Notable individuals with the surname include Claire Davenport, an English actress; Emily Davenport, who co-invented the electric motor and electric locomotives in the 1830s; George Davenport, a 19th-century frontiersman after whom the city of Davenport, Iowa, is named; Russell Davenport, a writer; Homer Davenport, a political cartoonist; Najeh Davenport, a professional football player; Samuel Davenport, a pioneer of South Australia in the 19th century; and Lindsay Davenport, a professional tennis player.