GERVAIS
Gervais
Gervais is a surname of French origin that found its way to England through the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname is derived from the Old Germanic given name "Gervasius," which means spear servant. Over time, variants of the name such as Gervase and Jarvis have also been used in English-speaking countries.
The Gervais surname is relatively rare in Britain compared to other surnames, but individuals bearing this name have made notable contributions in various fields. Notably, the comedian, actor, and writer Ricky Gervais has brought prominence to the name in contemporary popular culture.
Like many surnames, Gervais has undergone variations in spelling over the centuries, influenced by dialects, accents, and regional differences. This has resulted in alternative spellings such as Jervis and Jervois, especially in early records.
Individuals carrying the surname Gervais can be found across the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions such as London, the South East, and the East of England. As with many surnames, genealogical studies and DNA testing can provide insights into the origins and family history of individuals bearing the name Gervais.
There are approximately 161 people named Gervais in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Gervais.
Region of origin: Europe
Country of origin: France
Language of origin: French
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Damien
- David
- Guiath
- Humphrey
- James
- John
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Paul
- Peter
- Ricky
- Samuel
Female
- Alison
- Christina
- Dominique
- Genevieve
- Hazel
- Isabelle
- Julia
- Karen
- Michelle
- Natalie
- Nicola
- Ophelia
- Rachel
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.