About the Dey Surname

Some records give Day; others give Dey. Both point to the same English family name. Records show Dey as one of the forms Day took over time. It is a place-based name: “From the medieval name Day (David), or a dairy worker”. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists.

You may also find the name written Daye and Dye.

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