Surname Bervill - Meaning and Origin

Bervill: What does the surname Bervill mean?

The last name Bervill is a French surname, derived from the Old French term ‘bervillier’ which means ‘mesh of a fishing net’. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a mesh of a fishing net or was involved in its production. The name can also be an occupational name for anyone who made a living by fishing or by providing nets to fishermen.

The surname Bervill dates back to the 1200s, when nobles and knights were using it in France. It is likely that it also made its way to England, as many French people went there after 1066. As time went on, the name spread across Europe as people migrated and settled in other countries.

Today, the Bervill surname can be found primarily in France, Canada and the United States. In the US, Bervill is the 65,860th most common surname, with the name being especially popular in California.

Overall, the surname Bervill is unique, with its roots in Old French, and its potential origin story in the production of fishing nets. For those with the surname Bervill, they can consider themselves to be part of a long lineage that is steeped in centuries of history.

Bervill: Where does the name Bervill come from?

The last name Bervill is common in Europe today, especially in France and Switzerland. In France, the surname Bervill can be traced back to the 13th century and has remained common in the country ever since. In Switzerland, it is one of the most common surnames.

In France, the Bervill surname is thought to originate from the name Beruesvill, which was a settlement near Bellême in Normandy. From this village came families bearing the Bervill name, many of which migrated to other parts of Europe in the Middle Ages.

The name is also relatively common in other parts of Europe, notably in Germany, Austria, and Poland. It is believed that the name was brought to these countries by French-speaking immigrants in the 19th century. In America, the surname Bervill is not particularly common, but there are records of individuals bearing this name dating back to the early 20th century.

Outside of Europe, the surname is rarely seen, though there are a few records of individuals with Bervill ancestors who now live in other parts of the world. Undoubtedly, the surname has many variations, which may explain why it is not as common as it once was.

Variations of the surname Bervill

The surname Bervill is an occupational name that has been used by families for centuries. It is derived from the Old French 'bervillier' and was most likely used to refer to a person who worked in a vineyard. The surname has many variant spellings, including Berville, Berveille, Bervillie, Berville, and de Bervill. It can also be found in the form of a patronymic surname, which is created by adding a prefix such as Mac, Mc, O', or Fitz, such as Mac Bervill or Fitz Bervill.

The etymology of the name suggests that it originated in the Middle Ages in France, and it has since spread to several other countries. It is most common in Ireland but can also be found in England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Ireland, the ‘Mac’ prefix is typically used with the surname, whereas in other countries, the ‘de’ prefix is more common.

The distribution map of the surname shows that it is especially prevalent in County Kerry and County Cork in Ireland. It is believed that Bervill is an ancient Irish surname that derived from the Gaelic ‘Ó Fearbhile’, meaning ‘descendant of Fearbhil’. Although the name is still used in its various spellings, it is quite unusual and has declined in popularity over the years.

Famous people with the name Bervill

• Cheikh Bervill Bérrou: President of the Mauritanian Senate
• Joseph Bervill: British Merchant
• Pierre Bervill: French surfer
• Nicolas Bervill: Privateer of the Royal Navy (18th and 19th centuries)
• Peter Bervill: Writer, Diplomat, and Scholar
• Chad Bervill: Actor and model
• Jayden Bervill: Paralympic swimmer
• Jacqueline Bervill: Volleyball player and producer
• Georgia Bervill: English cricketer
• Jonathan Bervill: Basketball player

Other surnames

BervilBerville