Surname Devonport - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Devonport: What does the surname Devonport mean?
The surname Devonport is of English origin, deriving from a geographic location. It is believed to be associated with the place called Devonport in the county of Devon, England. The name Devonport is a combination of "Devon", the name of the county, and "port", an Old English term for a harbor or market town. Thus, the name might suggest origins from a market town or harbor in Devon. As it often happened with Old English names, people were frequently identified based on the place they lived or originated from, which could be a city, district, or even a notable landmark. Thus, the Devonport surname was most likely first borne by an individual who lived or was born in Devonport. Over time, these place-based names were passed down to successive generations, evolving into surnames. It's important to remember that the specific meaning can vary for different individuals and families, depending on their historical lineage and context.
Order DNA origin analysisDevonport: Where does the name Devonport come from?
The surname Devonport is of English origin, indicating geographical roots. It is derived from the port city of Devonport, formerly a town, now part of the city of Plymouth in the county of Devon, England on the country’s southwest coast. The city was known for its significant naval base and harbor.
Names beginning with 'Devon' or 'D' are common in Devonshire, but Devonport itself is less common as a surname. After migration and dispersal over time, the surname Devonport today can be found more frequently in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in some parts of the USA. However, it is not particularly widespread in any specific region.
As with many surnames, the distribution isn't static, and over time the name may become more or less common in different regions due to patterns of migration and intermarriage. The surname Devonport, like all surnames, provides a hint to an individual's family history and place of origin.
Variations of the surname Devonport
Devonport is a surname of English origin, likely tied to the geographical location of Devonport, a historical naval area in England. Variations in spelling and structure of similar names can include Devenport, Davenport, Davonport, Davenporte, Devonporte, and Davenporth. These spellings might be encountered due to regional accents, misspellings over time, or stylistic variations in record keeping throughout history.
Surnames of the same origin generally refer to those from the same geographical area or with similarly constructed meanings. In this case, surnames such as Portsmouth, Bristow, Oxford, or other British place-names turned surnames could have the same geographical origin.
It’s important to know however, that while surnames give some idea about one's forebears, they often reflect just a single line of genetic inheritance, often paternal. Moreover, the name Devonport or any of its variants does not necessarily signify that the individual with such a name hails from that geographical location or has any ties to it. It could have been adopted for a variety of other historical or personal reasons.
Famous people with the name Devonport
- Mark Devonport: A political correspondent for BBC Northern Ireland.
- Samuel Devonport: He was an English footballer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He played for various clubs, including Stoke City, at that time.
- Toby Devonport: An actor known for his roles in movies such as Saint Dracula 3D (2012), and also for several television series. Please note that "Devonport" isn't a common surname among famous personalities. It’s also the name of a significant area in Plymouth, England, and a city in Tasmania, Australia, which may help explain the relative scarcity of the last name.