The surnames Dafter and Davter
Could anyone explain me the meaning of these surnames please?
Thamks.
Thamks.
Replies
With regard to Dafter as an English surname, Paul Reaney explains it as a variant of Daughters, but is unable to give a meaning for this name. He tentatively suggests that it denotes descent from an heirees, a daughter who inherited the estate of a family without a male heir.
I am related to the DAFTER family. I understand most early dafters 1750-1900 were papermakers. I believe this name somehow relates to a process within the papermaking trade viz Invybridge, Devon, kent, Wales. I have also seen Pauls Reaney explanation but I have no idea whether thats true or false. I have also seen DAFTER on a census site reflecting german ancestry. I also understand that somewhere between 1500-1700 papermakers game to England,s o could have come from there!
PS John with a name like DAFTER we must be related!
PS2 Where did you get Davter, never seen that one, but have seen other spellings like Daster Dotter etc etc, but not a link to Baxter or Dexter
PS John with a name like DAFTER we must be related!
PS2 Where did you get Davter, never seen that one, but have seen other spellings like Daster Dotter etc etc, but not a link to Baxter or Dexter