Devon

Devon county is in South West England, bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west.^[1] Devon is the fourth largest county in England by area, at 6,707 square kilometers. In 2022, Devon had a population of 1,232,660.^[2] The county town of Devon is Exeter.^[3]

Research your ancestors on MyHeritage

Devon landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsDevon landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

Devon’s complex geology has created a striking diversity of landscapes including windswept high moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor, heathlands, secluded valleys, rugged coastlines, sweeping bays and rolling farmland. The importance of these landscapes is reflected by 35% of Devon being covered by a landscape designation.^[4] Devon's rich history is intertwined with its natural resources. Historically, tin and other metals like lead, silver, iron ore, copper, and manganese were extracted from the region's mines, contributing significantly to its economy.^[5] While mining has declined, the sea has long been a source of livelihood, with fishing and seafood playing a vital role. However, this industry faces increasing pressures from climate change and environmental challenges.^[6]

As Devon's traditional industries waned, tourism emerged as a primary economic driver. The region's picturesque landscapes, coastal resorts, and local cuisine have attracted visitors for centuries. While agriculture continues to be a significant sector, tourism has been particularly boosted by the development of transportation infrastructure, including railways, which facilitated access to popular seaside destinations.^[7] The landscape of Devon and Cornwall was transformed by the coming of the Industrial Revolution. The first ever steam engines were invented by engineers from Devon! A couple of Devon engineers realized that tin mines had a problem with flooding in their deep shafts and old methods, like ropes and buckets pulled by horses, were slow and expensive.^[8]

Devon is home to two national parks. Dartmoor, which is entirely in Devon, and Exmoor National Park, which is in both Devon and Somerset. Dartmoor National Park is the largest open space in Southern England and is known for its granite tors. 65% of Devon’s coastline is recognized as a Heritage Coast, with the South West Coast Path running the entirety, offering an extensive selection of beautiful walks beside the sea. The coastal town of Exmouth marks the western end of the Jurassic Coast, a section of coastline known for its impressive landforms and discovery of fossils.

Devon historyDevon history

Devon's history dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of early human settlements on Dartmoor, particularly around the Neolithic era, where stone circles and burial mounds remain as testament to this period.^[5] The Celtic tribe known as the Dumnonii^[9] were the primary inhabitants before the Roman occupation, with Exeter (known as Isca Dumnoniorum) becoming a key Roman settlement.^[10] Following the Romans, Anglo-Saxons took control, establishing strongholds like Exeter, Barnstaple, Totnes, and Lydford, significantly shaping the region's landscape and culture.^[10]

After the conquest of England by the Normans in 1066, Devon experienced the influence of Norman rule, with the building of castles like Exeter Castle, and the region became a center for wool production. The area witnessed religious turmoil during the Reformation, with the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549, and saw the rise of maritime trade, particularly in Plymouth.^[10] Devon's economy became more diversified with the development of agriculture, mining, and the burgeoning textile industry, particularly around the city of Exeter.

In the 19th Century, the Industrial Revolution impacted Devon, with the growth of ports like Plymouth and the expansion of manufacturing, alongside significant social changes.^[11] As Devon county moved into the 20th century, it experienced significant population growth due to migration from other parts of the UK and saw the development of tourism, particularly in coastal areas like Torquay and Exmouth.

Today, Devon sees a mix of immigrants from various parts of Europe, as well as smaller numbers from further afield, with significant immigration concentrated in urban areas like Exeter and Plymouth.^[12] These immigrants contribute to the local economy and cultural diversity.

Devon parishes and unparished areasDevon parishes and unparished areas

Devon is divided into eight districts.^[13]

In addition, there are two unitary authority areas: Plymouth and Torbay. There are 422 parishes in Devon's districts. The word parish has two distinct meanings. A parish may be the area served by a particular Anglican church, or it may be a civil parish, the area for which a parish council is responsible. These areas are often the same, but sometimes are not: a civil parish might contain two active churches, and there are civil parishes that have no church.^[14] In recent decades, the actual boundaries of ecclesiastical parishes have become almost insignificant as ties between communities and specific churches have weakened. Civil parishes, on the other hand, have boundaries defined precisely on Ordnance Survey maps.^[15]

Devon geographyDevon geography

Devon, a county in southwestern England, has a diverse landscape with many different geological features. Devon has two coastlines, one on the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea in the north, and the other on the English Channel in the south. The South West Coast Path runs along 65% of Devon's coastline.^[7] It has some of the most varied geology in the UK, from the dinosaur-era sands and chalks of East Devon, to the much older limestones of Torquay and Plymouth, and the rocky tors (dramatic outcrops of granite, usually standing on top of a hill) and bogs of Dartmoor's once-molten granite.^[16]

Devon's geology includes Devonian strata, Culm Measures, and the granite intrusion of Dartmoor. The oldest rocks in Devon are from the Devonian period, which are about 395–359 million years old. Devon is home to a wide range of wildlife, including Dartmoor ponies and bottlenose dolphins.

Researching family history in DevonResearching family history in Devon

The Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter holds all types of historical archives relating to the county of Devon and the City of Exeter (excluding Plymouth.) The Archive includes records of churches and chapels, of county, district and parish councils and of many families, estates, schools and other organizations.^[17] The Archive includes the popular West Country Studies Library^[18]. The Devon county GENUKI.org has links to a large number Devon genealogical records and resources including probate records. Devon Family History Society has an ongoing project to photograph gravestones with a database containing over 115,890 names linked to 78.018 photos, The database is updated on a regular basis.^[19]

Ethnicities in DevonEthnicities in Devon

The demographic distribution of the Devon population is as follows:^[20]

According to the 2021 census, the ethnic makeup of Devon County, England is as follows:

White: 92.63%
Asian or Asian British: 1.46%
Black or Black British: 0.30%
Mixed heritage: 1.35%
Other White: 3.62%
Other ethnicity including Arab, and Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller: 0.63%

Devon is predominantly White, but the number of people from other ethnicities has been increasing. In 2001, 1.13% of the population was from other ethnicities, and by 2021, that number had increased to 3.75%.

Surnames in DevonSurnames in Devon

The demographic distribution of Devon surnames is as follows:^[21]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Smith	10,603	1:110
Jones	8,335	1:140
Williams	7,487	1:156
Taylor	6,022	1:194
Brown	5,246	1:222
Harris	4,749	1:246
White	4,102	1:284
Evans	3,947	1:296
Hill	3,805	1:307
Martin	3,779	1:309

Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties

MyHeritage.com has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

References

[1] A 2025 Guide to Visiting Devon & Cornwall - Active England

[2] Devon: An Overview

[3] Exeter | England, Map, Population, & History | Britannica

[4] Devon's landscape - Devon Local Nature Partnership

[:1-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Devon | U.K., Map, History, Population, & Facts | Britannica

[6] Fishing and seafood - Devon Local Nature Partnership

[:2-7] 7.0 ^7.1 All you need to know about Devon - Stay In Devon

[8] Industrial Revolution in Devon

[9] Romans in Britain - The Dumnonii Tribe

[:0-10] 10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 About Devon - Devon Family History Society

[11] Population Growth & Distribution Since 1801

[12] Diversity Guide - Race and Ethnicity - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

[13] Your district/city council - Communities

[14] Genuki: Devon Parishes - Ancient and Modern, Devon

[15] Devon’s Old Parish Boundaries – Martin Ebdon Maps

[16] Geology - Environment

[17] Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter

[18] West Country Studies Library

[19] Devon Family History Society

[20] Diversity Guide - Race and Ethnicity - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

[21] Most Common Surnames in Devon, With Meanings

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]