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Guild of One-Name Studies

One-name studies, Genealogy

Is your surname here?

    • 2,140 members
    • 2,058 studies
    • 7,310 surnames

Retained profile for the former
Jarvis One-Name Study

This study is no longer registered with the Guild, but this profile page has been retained at the member's request. Please note that neither officers nor members of the Guild are able to answer any questions about this study.

About the study

The Jarvis One-Name study commenced in August 2024 and is currently led by Ryan Jarvis.

Variant names

The Jarvis surname has several variants, reflecting its evolution over centuries and across regions. Key variants include Jervis, Jervois, Garvis, Gervis, Jerves, and Gervase. Each of these forms has historical significance, appearing in various records from the medieval period onwards.

Name origin

The Jarvis surname originates from the Old French personal name Gervais(e) and the Old German Gervas. The name likely spread to England following the Norman Conquest, where it became established as both a given name and a surname. In some cases, the name also has locative origins, particularly in Yorkshire, where it is linked to the place name Jervaulx, historically pronounced Jarvis.

Historical occurrences of the name

Early occurrences of the name include figures such as Geruasius Painel, recorded between 1158 and 1166 in Danelaw documents, and Garvasius Godihalt in the 1275 Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls. By the 13th century, the surname form appears in records such as the 1202 Pipe Rolls of Shropshire, which mention John Geruas’, and various other medieval documents. The name continued to evolve, with records showing variations such as William Gerveys in the 1270 Assize Rolls and Thomas Jarvis in the 1713 York Freemen’s Register.

Name frequency

The Jarvis surname and its variants have been relatively common in the United Kingdom, with notable concentrations throughout history. In 1881, there were 13,261 individuals with the surname in Great Britain. By the present day, the frequency has increased to 19,394 in Great Britain and 151 in Ireland, reflecting a steady growth in the name's prevalence.

Distribution of the name

The distribution of the Jarvis surname has been widespread across England since the medieval period. Historical records from the 1881 census indicate a significant presence in counties such as Norfolk, Yorkshire, and Somerset. Today, the surname is found across the UK and in various other countries, particularly where British emigrants settled, including Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Data

The Jarvis One-Name Study hopes to gather and analyse data from a variety of sources, including birth, marriage, and death records, census data, and historical documents like tax rolls, court records, and wills. This data will help trace the lineage and geographical spread of the Jarvis surname and its variants over time.

DNA

The DNA component of the Jarvis One-Name Study seeks to complement traditional genealogical research with genetic evidence. Participants are encouraged to join the study's DNA project, which uses Y-DNA testing to explore the paternal lineage of those with the Jarvis surname. This can help confirm connections others and identify connections between different branches of the family tree.

Links

Private Facebook Group for the Jarvis One-Name Study
Public Facebook Page for the Jarvis One-Name Study
The Jarvis One-Name Study Archives


General Search Results

Occurrences of the surname Jarvis in the Guild Indexes
(Click on the number to view the search results in each index. Indexes marked by * are only accessible by logged in Guild members.)
  • Global Marriages (public)  1503
  • Global Marriages (members)* 1541
  • Inscriptions Index  15
  • Modern Newspaper Index  48
  • Probate Index* 146
  • Datastores  14

Other Guild Websites

You may find our other Guild websites of interest:

  • Members’ Websites Program
  • Guild Members’ records on FamilySearch
  • Guild’s “Surname Cloud”
  • Guild Marriage Locator

Contact Us

Email: Guild General Contact
Postal address:
c/o Treasurer,
3 Windsor Gardens,
Herne Bay,
Kent, CT6 8FE. UK.
Call us free on:
UK: 0800 011 2182
US & Canada: 1-800-647-4100
Australia: 1800 305 184

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