Jervis is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French word "gerfais," which means "spear ready." It is believed to have been introduced into England after the Norman Conquest in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded England and brought with him many Norman nobles. The name was likely given as a surname initially, but it has since evolved into a given name.
The name Jervis first appeared in records during the 13th century in England. It was typically passed down through generations within families, often being used as a middle name or surname before becoming more popular as a given name in recent times.
There is no specific historical figure associated with the name Jervis, but it has been carried by notable individuals throughout history. For example, Sir John Jervis was a British admiral who served during the American Revolutionary War and played a significant role in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797. More recently, Jervis is also the name of a town located on the southwest coast of England.
While there may not be many famous individuals named Jervis, the name carries a sense of history and tradition due to its English origins and lengthy usage throughout the centuries. Today, Jervis remains an uncommon but distinctive given name choice for parents looking for something unique for their child.
The name Jervis has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. In the early 1920s and 1930s, there were several years with more than five births registered each year for the name Jervis, peaking at twelve births in 1924.
However, from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s, the popularity of the name started to increase again. There were ten births registered for the name Jervis in both 1957 and 1973. The highest number of births recorded for the name during this time was eleven, which occurred twice - first in 1973 and then again in 1974.
Since the mid-1980s until recent years, the popularity of the name Jervis has remained relatively consistent with around five to eight births registered each year. The most recent data available shows that there were five births registered for the name Jervis in both 2001 and 2003.
Overall, since 1921 until 2003, a total of 282 births have been recorded for the name Jervis in the United States.