Gervase

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Gervase

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Gervase comes from a Norman French form of the Old Germanic name Gervas, said to mean “ Spear Servant” from “ger” (spear) and “vass” (servant).

History:
Gervase was first used after the year 386 A.D. when the remains of a St. Geravasius were discovered in Italy.

Gervase was introduced to England by the Normans and was relatively common for a few centuries. Since then it has been rare, though it never really died away. Rather more common is its surname, Jarvis (or Jervis).

Pronunciation: jurr-vase, jurr-viss.

Alternates: Charvis, Jarvis, Jervis, Gervais.
Dutch: Gervaas.
French: Gervaise, Gervais.
German: Gervas.
Italian: Gervasio.
Latin: Gervasius.
Polish: Gerwazy.
Portuguese: Gervasio.
Russian: Gervasi.
Spanish: Gervasio.

Feminine: Jarvia.

See also: Jarvis.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Gervase of Tilbury (12th century)
English author.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Gervase of Canterbury (?-1210)
English chronicler.

Military:
Gervase Markham (1568-1637)
English horse expert.

Religious Figures:
Saint Gervase
An early, possibly legendary, martyr.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.010 % named Jarvis
less than 0.004 % named Gervase, Gervaise, Jervis

Popularity of Gervase:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A