Devitt

McDevitt

Mac Daibheid  [son of David]

Mac Davitt - Davison- MacDaid- Devitt

     The McDevitt sept in Ireland was founded by one David O'Doherty [d.1208], who was a chief of Cenel Eoghain.  The name has been common in Donegal, and in adjoining areas of Tyrone and Derry in Northern Ireland.  It is significant to note that the name remained localized in theis area alone, and is not widespread elsewhere in Ireland.  To this day McDevitt remains a name of Donegal, with the name being found here in the 1890 index. as well as in Tyrone and Londonderry.

     Note the townland name of Ballydevitt in the barony of Banogh, Co. Donegal, and another of the same name in Derry.  Without the "Mc" prefix, spelled as Devitt, the name was found in Clare and Dublin in the 1890 index.   

     These locations are distinct from those found with the "Mc" prefix.  In Milesian families the name is also listed as a Norman one, arriving in 1171 and settling in Cork. Limerick, and Galway.

     Dr. James MacDevitt, [1832-1879], who was the Bishop of Raphoe and author of  "The Donegal Highlands."

     McDade

Mac Daibheid  [son of David]

McDaid- Mac Davitt- Mac Devitt

     McDade, McDaid etc... is said to have come from MacDaibheid, meaning son of David.  It is essentially considered a name of Ulster in Counties Donegal and Derry.  The name can also be found as MacDavitt, MacDevitt and Davison.

     According to one account the McDade family can be traced back to David O'Doherty [d.1208], chief of Cinel Eoghain.

     Milesian families gives the name in Limerick and Galway in 1171, and of Norman origin spelled as McDade.  Spelled as McDaid the same source gives the family in Limerick, Galway and Donegal, with the same origins.

     The birth index show the family in Donegal, Londonderry, and Tyrone in more modern times.

Source: The Book Of Irish Families Great and Small -@1992 The Irish Genealogical Foundation