Surname Jarvis - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Jarvis Lineage: Technical Reliability & Historical Context in the iGENEA DNA Test

My iGENEA DNA test results have significantly enlightened my understanding of my surname - Jarvis. The technical brilliance and accuracy applied to the Y-DNA, mtDNA, Advanced SNP, and Historical Profiling have not only connected me to my ancient lineage but also aided me in comprehending the cultural and historical implications tied to these genetics.

Z. Jarvis

Jarvis: What does the surname Jarvis mean?

The surname Jarvis is of English origin and derives from an Old French given name, Gervais. This name is also the source of the German surname Gervais. The origin of Gervais is a combination of two Germanic elements, “ger” meaning “spear” and “wace” meaning “vigilant." This name was also rendered into Latin as Gervasius, which means ‘strong-armed’ or ‘warlike’ and was a popular name in the Middle Ages.

The name Jarvis was given to someone who lived near a chestnut tree or who was a professional hunter or lookout. This name was applied to someone who could defend their family or land with a spear or arrows. It originally denoted a noble class of warriors in power-seeking medieval politics. Over time, the name has come to mean one who is strong, courageous and energetic.

The name Jarvis was first borne by an old English knight who served the court of King Richard I during the 12th century Crusades. It spread throughout Europe from there and eventually reached the British Isles. In the early 17th century, it made its way to the United States. Through the generations, the Jarvis family spread across the United States and Canada, becoming a prominent and influential family in both countries.

Today, the name Jarvis is associated with strength, courage, vigilance and energy. Many prominent figures have borne the surname, including actors John Jarvis and Richard E. Grant, musician Thomas Jarvis, filmmaker and songwriter Jonathan Jarvis, and entrepreneur and business leader Paul Jarvis.

Jarvis: Where does the name Jarvis come from?

The last name Jarvis is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the U.K., it is primarily concentrated in England, where it ranks number 293, and is especially prevalent in Bristol and the surrounding area. In the United States, states with the highest concentrations of the name Jarvis include New York, Michigan, and Virginia, and the surname is among the 500 most common in the state of New York. As of 2018, the most Jarvis’s lived in the UK, where it was found in over 2000 family name records.

Jarvis is a Norman name thought to be derived from the personal name Gervase, which in turn comes from the Germanic elements gerva, meaning “spear,” and siv, meaning “victory.” In British tradition, Gervase was used as a personal name by Norman immigrants and may even have gained popularity following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In both the UK and US, Jarvis is a surname that appears to represent a widely distributed family, found in a variety of places and times. This suggests that it was likely adopted independently in various locations, although it may have been adopted several times by families related to each other. The many variations on the name—including Garvish, Jarvus, Jarvice, and Gervery—almost certainly result from its frequent adoption.

Variations of the surname Jarvis

The surname Jarvis is derived from the name Gerver, which is from an old Germanic personal name. The variants and spellings of this surname include Jervis, Gerver, Gervais, Gearvish, Gearvice, Jervais, Gerrish,Gervas, Gearvis, Jerviss, Jarveis, Jarvice, Gerbros, Jerviss, and Jarvess.

There are various other languages and countries from which the name Jarvis is believed to have come from. In the Welsh language, the name is spelled "Jervis", while in Irish it is spelled "Gearbhás". Jarvis is also a common English surname, and many descendants of the original family can still be found in England under this name. In a French-speaking region, the surname is spelled "Gervais" or "Gervaisse".

The surnames originating from the same name can also have various spellings and variants. Derivatives of Jarvis include Jarvie, Jervoise, Jervis, and Jervese. Other spellings include Jarviss, Jarvose, Jervas, Gerbrous, Jervose, Gerrish, Gerbace, and Garvus.

In conclusion, the surname Jarvis has many variants and spellings, both in English and other languages. It can also have various surnames derived from it, including Jarvie, Jervoise, Jervis, Jarviss, Jervas, Gerbrous, Jervose, Gerrish, Gerbace, Jervese and Garvus.

Famous people with the name Jarvis

• Jarvis Cocker: English singer/songwriter
• Jarvis Smith: American musician
• Jarvis Landry: NFL wide receiver
• Jarvis Jay Masters: American writer
• Jarvis Varnado: Former NBA player
• Jarvis Freeman: American politician
• Jarvis Sickler: Former NFL player
• Jarvis Hayes: Former NBA player
• Jarvis Astaire: British businessman
• Jarvis Green: Former NFL player
• Jarvis Baker: American rapper
• Jarvis Redwine: Former NFL player
• Jarvis Harrison: NFL offensive tackle
• Jarvis Stewart: Former NFL wide receiver
• Jarvis Garret: Former MLB pitcher
• Jarvis Moody: American sprinter
• Jarvis Copeland: Former NFL linebacker
• Jarvis Williams: Former NFL player
• Jarvis Johnson: American politician
• Jarvis Rockwell: American artist

Other surnames

Jarvise