The school was named after Dr. Jackson Davis, former Superintendent of Henrico County schools.

Dr. Davis was born in Cumberland County, Virginia, in 1882. He received his B.A. Degree from William & Mary in 1902, his M.A. Degree from Columbia University in 1908. Dr. Davis was awarded a Doctorate of Law from the University of Richmond in 1930 and from William & Mary in 1931.

Dr. Davis was Superintendent of Henrico County Schools from 1905 through 1909. He was a member of the State Board of Examiners and Inspectors in the Virginia State Department of Education from 1909 to 1910. He was Associate Director of Education, General Education Board (now Rockefeller Foundation) from 1929 to 1947.

Davis' greatest work was in his efforts to upgrade black education in the South and revamping of the program of Land Grant Colleges through his work with the General Education Board.

Jackson Davis Elementary School opened in the fall of 1962. Dr. Lonnie E Gailes served as the school's first principal. Dr. James W. Barton was principal for two years, 1971-1973. Mr. Ronald Odom served as the school's third principal followed by Mr. Gary Blair. Mrs. Betty Ann Wiedemann was the fifth principal. Mr. Les Stanley became the principal effective July 1, 1996. He served through the 2002-2003 school year.

Effective July 1, 2003 Mr. Bryan Almasian became the principal of Jackson Davis.