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Is there a rhyme or reason to pronouncing the surname "Davies"? (startrek.website)

submitted 1 week ago by IcedRaktajino@startrek.website to c/askuk@feddit.uk

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I've heard it pronounced both "Dave-Iss" and "Davey's". I don't hear the names often but I see them regularly and never know how to pronounce them. The only one I'm sure about is Alan Davies (Dave-Iss) because of QI.

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[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

“Davies” and “Davis” would have the same origin, in that they were used as patronymics for sons/daughters of people named David, which became frozen as family names when the rising bureaucratic state demanded that its subjects had consistent ones. If your dad was named David, how your surname was spelled and pronounced would have depended on the regional dialect people around you spoke.

For what it’s worth, Davies is a common Welsh surname.

[–] IcedRaktajino@startrek.website 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Thanks for an actual, helpful answer, lol, instead of whatever the other commenter was doing here.

“Davies” and “Davis” would have the same origin

So, as a rule of thumb, I should pronounced it "Davis" unless otherwise corrected?

For what it’s worth, Davies is a common Welsh surname.

That much I did know :)