The place is named after William Davidson, a wealthy merchant who bought Muirhouse, east of the district, in 1776.

[5] The original village runs east-west and is still identifiable as a series of modest cottages on each side of the road.

The railway arrived late in 1894 but spurred villa development to the north and north-west.

[6] Within the district there is a variety of shops and businesses, ranging from cobblers to large supermarkets, as well as food outlets of various kinds.

Davidson's Mains railway station closed in 1951 prior to the Beeching cuts due to underuse.