NAMES IN THE DEVONSHIRE FAMILY

The first Devonshire, Francis, was born in England in 1620. There is some doubt whether his name could have been Devonish, suggesting confusion in choosing a surname. Francis might be derived from the Spanish name, Francisco.

It was common for immigrants to change their names and adopt the name of a city or district in England. I assume his father was the first immigrant to England and was a Sephardic Jew who came from Flanders or Amsterdam, a common destination for Sephardic Jews fleeing expulsions from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497.

As being a Jew was outlawed in England until 1656, it seems it would have been essential to use English first names before then. However, Francis had six surviving children and had no problems with Hebrew names in all six (Thomas, Samuel, Elizabeth, John, Jeremiah, and Daniel).

There is a mistake in the family tree and I have corrected it. Please refer to the tree.  

The name Guilielmus appeared in 1664. It is a Spanish name and may indicate a Spanish origin.

An analysis indicates that names with Hebrew roots were prevalent (and the commonest) in the Devonshires until the early 1800s and then disappeared entirely from the family tree. Of the 29 names used until then, 19 had Hebrew roots. Some, like Israel, Josiah, and Davida would only be used by a Jew. The last was my great-grandfather Adino, who was born in 1857. Except for Guilielmus, all were typical Engish names often with Germanic roots. 

FRANCIS. Primarily a male name, it originates from the Latin word “Franciscus,” meaning “Frenchman” or “free man.” It can also be interpreted as a reference to the Germanic Franks, who were considered free people. The name gained widespread popularity due to Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar known for his humility and love for nature. 
Modern Usage: Francis remains a popular name, with various forms and diminutives used across different cultures, such as Francesco (Italian), François (French), Franz (German), and Francisco (Spanish). 

* 7 THOMAS of Aramaic origin, means “twin”. It is a name with a rich history, notably borne by the apostle Thomas in the Bible, often referred to as “Doubting Thomas” due to his initial skepticism about the resurrection. The name has Greek and Hebrew roots, with the Greek form adding an “s” to the Aramaic “Toma”. 
The name Thomas is derived from the Aramaic word “t’oma,” meaning “twin.” 
Hebrew Origin: The Hebrew equivalent of “twin” is “ta’om,” from which the Aramaic “t’oma” is derived. 1808

* SAMUEL means “God has heard” or “name of God”. It originates from Hebrew and is associated with the biblical figure Samuel, who was a prophet, judge, and leader in ancient Israel. The name is often interpreted as a reference to God’s attentiveness to prayers or a declaration of God’s power. 1650

* ELIZABETH of Hebrew origin, means “God is my oath” or “God’s promise”. It is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, which appears in the Bible as the wife of Aaron, the sister of Moses. The name has a strong historical and religious significance, particularly in the context of biblical figures like Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and influential historical figures like Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II. 1692

* 4 JOHN, of Hebrew origin, means “God is gracious”. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, which is composed of elements meaning “YHWH” (God) and “gracious”. The name has deep religious significance, particularly due to figures like John the Baptist and John the Apostle in the Bible. 1811

* JEREMIAH of Hebrew origin generally means “Yahweh will exalt” or “God will uplift”. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu (יִרְמְיָהוּ). The name is closely associated with the biblical prophet Jeremiah. 1654

* DANIEL, of Hebrew origin, means “God is my judge”. It is derived from the Hebrew words “dan” (meaning “judge”) and “el” (meaning “God”). The name is widely recognized through the biblical figure, Daniel, a prophet known for his wisdom and faith. 1656

GUILIELMUS, meaning “resolute protector,” is the Spanish equivalent of the Germanic name William. It combines the elements “willa” (will, desire, resolution) and “helm” (helmet, protection). The name signifies strength and guardianship and is popular in Spanish-speaking countries. 1667

2 WILLIAM means “resolute protector” or “strong-willed warrior”. It originates from the Germanic name Wilhelm, which combines the elements “wil” (meaning “will” or “desire”) and “helm” (meaning “helmet” or “protection”), according to some baby name websites. The name has a long history, becoming popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. 
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JESPER primarily means Treasurer. It is of Dutch and Scandinavian origin, derived from the name Jasper, which itself is linked to the Persian word for “treasurer” or “keeper of the treasure”. In some contexts, it can also be interpreted as “King of the treasure” 1684

* JAMES is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Jacob. It generally means “supplanter” or “one who follows at the heel”, referencing the biblical story of Jacob, who was born grasping his twin brother’s heel. The name also carries connotations of “may God protect”. 1687

* 3 ISRAEL of Hebrew origin, has several related meanings, including “God prevails,” “God contends,” “one who struggles with God,” or “he who strives with God.”. It is derived from the biblical story of Jacob, who wrestled with an angel and was given the name Israel as a result. The name also came to be used for Jacob’s descendants and the nation they formed. 1748

* JOSIAH of Hebrew origin generally means “God supports” or “God has healed”. It’s derived from the Hebrew name Yoshiyahu, which combines “yoshi” (support) and “Yahu” (a shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew God). The name carries strong religious connotations, often associated with healing and divine intervention. 1688

3 EDWARD  “wealthy guardian” or “rich protector”. It originates from the Old English words “ead” (meaning “wealth” or “prosperity”) and “weard” (meaning “guardian” or “protector”). The name is often associated with qualities of leadership, reliability, and responsibility. 

FREDERICK, of German origin, means “peaceful ruler”. It’s derived from the Old German elements “frid” (meaning peace) and “ric” (meaning ruler or power). 

* DAVIDA is primarily a feminine name, means “beloved” or “loved one”. It is of Hebrew origin and is a feminine form of the name David. The name David itself, from which Davida is derived, holds biblical significance as the name of the renowned King of Israel and also means “beloved”. 1700

* HANNAH  originates from the Hebrew word “Channah,” meaning “grace” or “favour”. It’s also associated with the biblical figure Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, known for her devotion and prayer. The name has roots in various cultures and can also be spelled Hanna, Hana, or Chana. 1657

*3 MARY, a classic and widely used name, has several potential meanings and origins. It’s most commonly associated with Hebrew origins, potentially stemming from the name Miriam. Possible meanings include “drop of the sea,” “bitter,” or “beloved”. Some interpretations also link it to “rebelliousness” or a “wished-for child.” The name also holds strong religious significance, particularly about the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. 1825

* 3 JANE originates from England and means “God is gracious”. It has Hebrew roots, ultimately derived from the name Yochanan, meaning “Yahweh is merciful”. The name has been popular since the 16th century and is known for its classic, simple, and elegant nature. 1842

2 GEORGE, of Greek origin, means “farmer” or “earthworker”. It is derived from the Greek word “georgos,” which combines the elements “ge” (meaning “earth”) and “ergon” (meaning “work”). The name has strong historical and cultural associations, particularly with St. George, the patron saint of England, who is famously known for slaying a dragon. It has been a popular name throughout history, borne by saints, kings, and heroes. 

* 2 REBECCA of Hebrew origin generally means “to tie” or “to bind”. It is derived from the Hebrew name Rivkah. In the Bible, Rebecca is the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. 1788

JOYCE has a rich history and multiple meanings. It is of English origin, derived from the Norman French name “Josse” or “Joce,” which in turn comes from the Latin “Iudocus” or “Judocus” and ultimately from the Breton name “Iodoc”. The name signifies “lord” or “young lord” and is also associated with the word “joy” or “rejoice” due to its phonetic similarity. However, this is a coincidental connection rather than a direct etymological link. 
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MARTHA, of Aramaic origin, means “lady” or “mistress of the house”. It’s a classic, feminine name with biblical roots, notably associated with Martha of Bethany in the New Testament. 

* 2 ANN, a diminutive of Hannah, primarily means “grace” or “favour”. It originates from the Hebrew name Hannah, which is associated with the biblical story of Hannah’s prayer for a child, who is then blessed with Samuel. The name has various forms across languages, including Anna and Anne. 1791

* 3 JOSEPH originating from Hebrew (Yosef), generally means “God will add” or “May Jehovah add”. It is a name with deep roots in religious texts, particularly the Bible, and is often associated with traits like strength, resilience, and leadership. 1812
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* 2 ABRAHAM of Hebrew origin, primarily means “father of a multitude” or “father of many nations”. It is also sometimes interpreted as “high father”. The name is famously associated with the biblical figure Abraham, who was originally named Abram before God changed it, according to Genesis 17:5. 1815

* SUSANNA and its variants like Susan and Susannah, primarily means “lily” or “lotus flower”. It originates from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which is derived from shoshan, meaning “lily” in Hebrew and “lotus flower” in Egyptian. The name also has roots in Greek and Persian languages. 1804

* 2+2 SARAH of Hebrew origin, primarily means “princess” or “noblewoman”. It’s a name with deep historical and religious roots, notably appearing in the Old Testament as the wife of Abraham. 1817

* 2 DAVID of Hebrew origin means “beloved”. It is derived from the Hebrew word “dod,” which also means beloved. The name is strongly associated with the biblical figure King David, the second king of Israel. 1827

WICKS –  no info
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HARRIET means “home ruler“. It’s of German origin, derived from the Old German name Henriette and the male name Harry. It’s often associated with strength, leadership, and authority.

1+1 ELLEN a diminutive of Helen, primarily means “light” or “torch,” with origins tracing back to the Greek word “helene”. It signifies brightness, illumination, and brilliance. The name also has connections to Greek mythology, further associating it with radiance and power. 

CONSTANCE means steadfastness or constancy. It originates from the Latin word “constantia,” meaning “resolute” or “faithful”. The name was popularized in medieval times and is associated with qualities like loyalty, resoluteness, and dependability.

ARTHUR is of Celtic origin, with its precise etymology debated, but generally meaning “bear,” “bear-man,” or “bear-king”. It’s also been linked to the Latin word “artos,” also meaning bear. The name’s popularity surged during the Middle Ages, largely due to its association with the legendary King Arthur.

CHARLOTTE of French origin, means “free man” or “petite”. It is derived from the male name Charles, which also has roots in Germanic languages and carries the same meaning. The name became very popular in England during the 18th century, particularly after Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, popularized it.

2 HENRY “home ruler” or “house ruler”. It is of German origin, derived from the name Heimeric, which combines “heim” (home) and “ric” (ruler). The name was brought to England by the Normans and became popular, especially among the aristocracy. 

AIDA has multiple origins and meanings. In Arabic, it primarily means “returning” or “visitor”. It can also be interpreted as “helper” or “distinguished”. In Italian, Aida is linked to the word “happy” and the famous opera. Some also interpret it as “little fire”. 

AGNES originates from Greek and means “pure” or “holy”. It’s a Latinized version of the Greek name Hagnḗ. The name has been popular for centuries, partly due to its association with Saint Agnes of Rome, a Christian martyr. 

ALICE originates from German and French roots and generally means “noble” or “of noble kind”. It is derived from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which combines the elements aþala-, meaning “noble”, and haidu-, meaning “appearance” or “kind”.

HERBERT originates from Germanic roots and means “bright army” or “illustrious warrior”. It combines the elements heri or hari meaning “army” and berht meaning “bright” or “famous”.

HOWARD of English origin, means “brave heart” or “high guardian”. It can also be traced back to Old German origins, meaning “heart-brave”. The name is derived from the Old English words “heort” (heart) and “weard” (brave, guardian), signifying a courageous and valiant individual.

EUSTICE means fruitful or abundant in grain in Greek, derived from the word “Eustachys”. It can also be interpreted as meaning steadfast or stable.