Surname Jervois - Meaning and Origin
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Jervois: What does the surname Jervois mean?
The last name Jervois is likely derived from the French town of Jerves, located near the Norman town of Torigne in the Manche department of modern-day France. It is thought the family may have moved from Jerves to England following the Norman conquest of 1066, settling in the Midland and Western counties of England. In some instances, when closely associated to Scotland, the last name is thought to derive from the Gaelic 'Gairbh' which translates to 'rough' or 'rugged'.
The name contains a symbolic meaning of "from Jerves", or, translated in modern-day English, "from the settlement of Jer's". As such, it is believed that the surname refers to somebody or a family who lived within this settlement.
Jervois has been well-documented within the British Isles since early medieval times. It is probable that the Jervois family capitalized on their newfound English friendships and alliances during the twentieth century by entering many positions of influence. Examples include General Sir William Jervois, an English engineer and first Governor of New Zealand and Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, a Chief Engineer of the British defence advisory team in Egypt from 1874-1882.
The name Jervois has been used to name many small communities and places throughout history, including Jervois in South Australia, Jervois in Manitoba, Canada and numerous streets in both England and Oz. It is clear that the Jervois family line has a long and proud history, stretching back many centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisJervois: Where does the name Jervois come from?
The last name Jervois is most commonly found in France, with some instances of its use in the United Kingdom as well. It is an uncommon surname, but it still holds a long-distance historical association with many countries in Europe. There have been a few notable members of the Jervois family, such as Charles George Jervois, an army officer and colonial administrator; Australian politician Francis Jervois; and Norman Jervois, a Civil War era Union army general.
The Jervois surname can also be commonly found in some former French colonies in Africa. The Jervois family was part of the French colonial establishment in Africa and their descendants carry on the surname in various African countries, including Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo.
The Jervois name is also present in the United States, where many people of French Canadian ancestry have adopted it. It also appears in Canada, where some members of the Royal Canadian Navy were named Jervois after the prominent family of the same name.
In conclusion, Jervois is a last name that is still used today in France and the United Kingdom, as well as in some former French colonies in Africa, the United States, and Canada. The long-standing European connections of the Jervois family reinforces the lasting legacy and prevalence of this surname.
Variations of the surname Jervois
The surname Jervois has a few variants and variations in the spelling. Although the traditional spelling is "Jervois," other variants include Jervoix, Jervoiss, Jervion, Jervay, Jervais, Jervayl, Jervice, Jervies, Jerveie, Jervain, Jervays, and Jervise.
Some of the surnames associated with the Jervois origin include the more common names of Jones, Jervis, Jerviss, Jarvis, Jervey, and Gordon.
Variant spellings and surnames associated with the same origin come from both Scotland and France. In Scotland, the name was derived from an old Sangland term meaning "formidable", or from a place name derived from Jarrow (Gerrard). In France, the name was derived from the old French term ervois meaning "thirsty".
The popularity of the Jervois surname is tied to its Scottish origin, particularly in the British Isles. It can be found mostly in England, Scotland, and Ireland but also in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Jervois surname is an interesting one, being derived from very different origins yet having the same spelling and share a common root. In both Scotland and France, the name carries a weight of history behind it, while its variants in other countries still demonstrate the close ties between these regions of the world.
Famous people with the name Jervois
- Major-General Sir Henry Jervois (1821–1897): British army officer and colonial governor
- Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois (1821–1897): British Army officer who served in the Crimean War
- Sir Porteous Jervois (1856-1923): British Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station
- Sir William Jervois (1821-1897): British Army officer, served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War
- Grace Jervois (1840–1910): English novelist
- Augustus Jervois (1828-1909): British Conservative politician
- Alexander Jervois (1784-1854): British barrister and soldier
- Henry Jervois (1844-1914): British army officer and a colonial administrator
- Patrick Jervois (1775-1848): British Major-general and Commander-in-Chief of the Ceylon Garrison
- William Charles Jervois (1782-1869): British military engineer and Governor of Gibraltar and South Australia