Davington Genealogical Records

Davington Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St Mary Magdalene, Davington Baptism Records (1549-1912)

Baptism records from people born in and around Davington between 1549 and 1912. Lists the name of people's parent's and other details.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Kent PR Index (1538-1870)

An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.

Davington Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St Mary Magdalene, Davington Banns Records (1850-1928)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence, which may be recorded differently in the marriage register.

St Mary Magdalene, Davington Banns Records (1850-1928)

Registers of those who intended to marry. An intended marriage was called for three weeks at church, so parishioners could voice objection to the marriage. Contains details on an individual's parish of residence.

St Mary Magdalene, Davington Marriage Records (1549-1928)

An index to marriages in St Mary Magdalene, Davington listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Davington Marriage Index (1653-1773)

An index to marriages in between 1653 and 1773, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Davington Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

St Mary Magdalene, Davington Burial Records (1549-1980)

Burial records for people buried at St Mary Magdalene, Davington, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1549 to 1980.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Kent PR Index (1538-1870)

An index to around 40,000 various parish register extracts for Kent.

Davington Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Faversham Hundred Hearth Tax Returns (1662-1671)

Transcripts of surviving returns of hearth and poll taxes for the hundred of Faversham.

Faversham Hundred Hearth Tax Returns, Vol. II (1662-1671)

Transcripts of surviving returns of hearth and poll taxes for the hundred of Faversham.

Kent Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Newspapers Covering Davington

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald (1909-1929)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Hythe district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald (1867-1904)

Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the Whitstable district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Kent & Sussex Courier (1873-1939)

A conservative-oriented newspaper reporting on local news, births, marriages and deaths in the two counties.

Kent & Sussex Courier (1873-1950)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the counties of Kent and Sussex. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Kentish Chronicle (1859-1867)

A regional paper including news from the Kent area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

Davington Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Wills & Admons at Canterbury Probate Registry (1396-1650)

An index to probates and administrations held at Canterbury Probate Registry. Contains details on the testator, type of grant, residence, occupation and reference to order the original.

Tyler's Index to Kent Wills (1460-1882)

Abstracts and references to 10,000s of wills and probate documents, primarily from East Kent.

Diocese of Rochester Wills and Probate (1662-1784)

Browsable images of inventories. Also includes freeman papers for Queenborough.

Archdeaconry of Rochester Wills and Probate (1635-1857)

Browsable images of administrations, inventories and wills.

Davington Immigration & Travel Records

Prisoners Transported from Kent (1851-1852)

A small list of convicts transported to the colonies.

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

Davington Military Records

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment (1914-1920)

A great deal of information relating to the regiment, including a thorough history, biographical details, photographs, information on honours etc.

West Kent Queen's Own Yeomanry (1794-1909)

A general history of the yeomanry, including extracts from original records

Victoria County History of Kent, Vol. 3 (43-1900)

A volume from the most respected work concerning English history. It covers military history, country houses, industry, roads and a transcription of Domesday entries relating to Kent.

QORWKR Battalion Orders (1914-1916)

A finding aid for records detailing orders relating to ordinary rank men in the Royal West Kent Regiment.

Kent Voluntary Aid Detachments (1914-1918)

Details of voluntary aid workers in Kent during WWI.

Kentish Prison Hulk Registers (1811-1843)

Registers recording details of around 9,000 prisoners held in ships stationed in Kent. Records describe a convict's name, age, place of birth, physical description, offence, conviction, sentence, discharge and conduct report.

Kent Workhouse Records (1777-1911)

Over 70,000 browsable pages detailing the administration of poor law unions in Kent. Records contain details on births, marriages & deaths; punishments; admissions and discharges and more.

Kent Quarter Sessions Index (1657-1804)

A name index to 1,000s of people mentioned in legal records relating to crime and administration. The records include settlements, removals and bastardy orders.

Kent Quarter Sessions & Court Files (1558-1899)

Legal records covering a variety of issues from land to bastardy.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Davington Taxation Records

Faversham Hundred Hearth Tax Returns (1662-1671)

Transcripts of surviving returns of hearth and poll taxes for the hundred of Faversham.

Faversham Hundred Hearth Tax Returns, Vol. II (1662-1671)

Transcripts of surviving returns of hearth and poll taxes for the hundred of Faversham.

Poll Book for the County of Kent (1832)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Kent Hearth Tax (1664)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Kent Land Tax Assessments (1689-1832)

Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.

Davington Land & Property Records

Poll Book for the County of Kent (1832)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Kent Land Tax Assessments (1689-1832)

Browsable images of registers that record owners and occupiers of land. Useful for tracing succession of freehold and tenancies.

Kent Register of Electors (1570-1907)

Browsable images of Kent electoral rolls poll books, which list those eligible to vote as well as lists of freemen, apprentices, burgess records and militia musters.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Davington Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1938)

A directory of settlements in Kent detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1938)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1934)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1930)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1922)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Davington Cemeteries

Kent Monumental Inscriptions (1500-1920)

Transcriptions of thousands of memorials and headstones found in Kent.

Kent Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Kent's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Davington Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Davington Histories & Books

History & Topographical Survey of Kent (1189-1801)

A sprawling work containing a detailed history of the county and each parish.

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Victoria County History of Kent, Vol. 3 (43-1900)

A volume from the most respected work concerning English history. It covers military history, country houses, industry, roads and a transcription of Domesday entries relating to Kent.

Kent Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Kent.

Kent Church Photographs (1851-Present)

Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.

Davington School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Davington Occupation & Business Records

Canterbury Teaching and Medical Licences (1568-1646)

A calendar to licences granted by Diocese of Canterbury to teachers, physicians and apothecaries.

Smuggling in Kent (1697-1830)

Articles detailing several smuggling gangs that operated in the county.

Smuggling on the South East Coast (1675-1871)

An introduction to smuggling in on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Smuggling on the East Coast (1600-1892)

An introduction to smuggling on the east coast of England, with details of the act in various regions.

Kent Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Kent pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Davington

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Kent Families (1066-1840)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Tyler's Kent Families (1500-1900)

A collection of pedigrees, family notes and historical extracts relating to Kent and its families.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Davington Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Kent (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Kent Families (1066-1840)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Kent's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Kent Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Kent's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Davington Church Records

Davington Parish Registers (1549-1980)

The parish registers of Davington are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). Unindexed original images of the registers are available between 1549 and 1980.

Visitations of the Archdeacon of Canterbury (1557-1679)

Extracts relating to the ecclesiastical history of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury.

Kent Church Photographs (1851-Present)

Photographs of parish churches in Hampshire, with architectural details and extracts from the 1851 ecclesiastical census.

Kent Bishop's Transcripts (1560-1911)

Browsable images of summaries of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Kent Parish Registers (1538-1911)

Browsable images of registers the recorded baptisms, marriages and burials in Kent. Names are not indexed.

Biographical Directories Covering Davington

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Davington Maps

Maps of Kent (1522-1922)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Davington Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Davington, a small village, near which was formerly a nunnery of the Benedictine order, founded by Fulk de Newnham, in the year 1153, and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen. The original number of the nuns was twenty-six; but from the scantiness of their revenue they were reduced to thirteen in the reign of Fidward the Third; and in the seventeenth year of the same king they stated, that "from their great poverty, they were unable to supply the king's public aids without depriving themselves of their necessary subsistence." From this representation, and from their extreme poverty, they acquired the name of the poor nuns of Davington.

In the reign of Henry VIII. the priory became quite deserted, so that it escheated to the crown, and was afterwards granted to Sir Thomas Cheney. The Church still remains, with the sisters' house, which adjoins it on the south, and is inhabited by a farmer. The church is a small low building, consisting of a nave and two aisles, separated by semicircular arches, rising from quadrangular piers; two other arches which cross the aisles at the west end are obtusely pointed. The west entrance has a recessed semicircular arch, richly ornamented with foliage, &c. and springing from three columns on each side.

On Davington Hill the Romans appear to have had a burial place, from the numerous urns, coins, and other antiquities found here, when the foundations of some offices belonging to the Royal Powder Mills, were laid about fifty years ago.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

DAVINGTON is a pleasant parish, on a hill, on the opposite side of White Hill stream and over Stone bridge: it adjoins Faversham on the north-west. The church of St. Mary Magdalene originally belonged to the Benedictine nunnery founded here by Fulke de Newenham, in 1153, of which part of the Norman nave, north aisle, south chapel, tower and the west side of the cloisters remain; the church, as now existing, is of flint, and has a tower containing 3 bells: the church was restored in 1845, and affords 200 seats. The register dates from the year 1549. The living is a peculiar and chaplaincy, net yearly value £150, in the gift of Mrs. Bramah, and held since 1902 by the Rev. Arthur Allen B.A. of Cambridge University. At Davington Hill was a Roman burying-place, and on Judd Hill are the remains of a quadrangular camp: coins and pottery have been found here, and in the ruins of a small chapel Roman bricks are found worked up: the church and priory of St. Mary Magdalene, Davington (called in Domesday “Danetone”), were constituted a manor in 1254; in 1535 the convent became derelict as a religious house, and was forfeited to the Crown from want of successors to the estate: it has been since leased from the Crown and passed by descent and purchase through many hands until the year 1845, when the freehold manor and donative were purchased by Thomas Willement esq. F.S.A.: in 1856 a very curious brigandine cap, formed of iron plates and supposed to be unique, was found in the roof of the priory: courts baron have been regularly held in the manor: bricks are largely made here. The area of the parish is 531 of land and 7 of water; rateable value, £3,366; the population in 1901 was 187.

Kelly's Directory of Kent (1903)

Most Common Surnames in Davington

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Faversham Hundred
1Andrews181:121.01%49
2Harris121:190.33%10
2Weller121:191.47%164
4Curling111:203.90%611
5Friend101:221.30%178
6Hales91:252.37%447
6Barham91:252.26%415
8Smith81:280.05%1
8Ralph81:281.17%213
10Stevens71:320.31%29
10Wildash71:329.72%2,102
12Jordan61:370.58%126
13Young51:450.19%20
13Moore51:450.23%33
13Cobb51:451.36%466
13Steed51:453.11%1,058
13Pout51:454.67%1,489
18Baker41:560.08%4
18Rogers41:560.23%55
18Curry41:566.06%2,268
18Sherwood41:561.56%672
18Cheeseman41:560.46%149
18Murton41:562.65%1,113
18Eastman41:565.63%2,129
25Wright31:750.13%26
25Hopkins31:750.33%144
25Houghton31:752.07%1,155
25Waller31:750.62%316
25Bean31:750.57%291
25Pool31:752.52%1,363
25Philpot31:751.19%701
25Pilcher31:750.32%138
33Wood21:1120.04%5
33Buck21:1121.17%1,003
33Amos21:1120.23%147
33Hampshire21:1121.40%1,175
33Cotter21:1122.33%1,816
33Akehurst21:1121.89%1,505
33Bramah21:11266.67%20,830
40Jones11:2240.02%7
40Harrison11:2240.08%97
40Barker11:2240.12%166
40Newton11:2240.25%403
40Holland11:2240.16%238
40Bishop11:2240.08%91
40Nash11:2240.11%146
40Wall11:2240.25%412
40Hook11:2240.16%237
40Wooley11:2241.25%1,930
40Jordon11:2241.47%2,209
40Cloke11:2240.42%745
40Spickett11:2240.91%1,451
40Sherrell11:22420.00%15,677
40Sheepwash11:2241.30%1,989
40Champs11:2242.04%2,842