Dayus Family History
Dayus Surname Meaning
From the personal name Deiws, a pet form of Dai and Dafydd, for which see David. In English counties bordering Wales, Dayus and Dyos were sometimes reduced to Day(e)s and Deyes or altered to Dayhouse and Dyhouse through false association with the words deyhouse and dayhouse ‘dairy’ or deyehouse and dyehouse ‘dye-works’.
There is no medieval evidence that this name derived from either word. The transformation and reduction of names in this context highlight an interesting aspect of language evolution.
The associations made with common words such as 'dairy' and 'dye-works' illustrate how etymology can shift over time, leading to misconceptions about a name's origin.
Furthermore, it's notable that Dayhouse has become extinct, which speaks to the dynamic nature of naming conventions throughout history.
Ultimately, the journey of names like these provides insight into cultural and linguistic interactions, especially in regions with influences from both English and Welsh traditions.
Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016