The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Jarvice name is derived from the Norman personal name Gervase. The surname Gervais indicates that the bearer is a descendant of someone named Gervase. [1]
The surname Jarvice was first found in Cornwall. The Gervais surname also spelled Jarvis, Gervays and Gervis, was first found in Mobonnaiss and Vallee, in Brettagne, the ancient name for Brittany, and arrived in England with William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. [2]
The first records of the family were listed in their Latin form, as in John fil. Gervacii, Cambridgeshire; William filius Gervasii, Huntingdonshire; and Stephen Gervcis, Cambridgeshire. All were listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. [3]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jarvice research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1268, 1262, 1262, 1268, 1410, 1393, 1397, 1587, 1654, 1621, 1625, 1628, 1629, 1640, 1653, 1616, 1693, 1666 and 1667 are included under the topic Early Jarvice History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Gervais, Gervays, Gervis, Jarvis, Jervis and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Gervais, (died 1268), an early English clergyman, Bishop of Carlisle in 1262 and Bishop of Winchester (1262-1268); Richard Gervays (died c.1410), of Canterbury, Kent, an English politician, a Member of...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jarvice Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Jarvice family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jarvice or a variant listed above: