Jervis is an unusual and distinctive given name of English origin, derived from the Norman French 'Servais', which is itself a derivative of the Roman family name 'Servilius'. The name was brought to England by the Normans following the Norman Conquest in 1066. In its original Latin form, Servilius, it referred to someone who was 'of the service' or 'of the servants', suggesting a possible connection with the Roman gens Servilia, one of Rome's oldest patrician families. Over time, the name evolved through various forms such as Servais in France and Jervis in England. Today, while not particularly common, Jervis remains an uncommon yet interesting choice for a first name, offering a unique blend of historical roots and distinctive sound.
The name Jervis experienced varying popularity over the decades, with notable spikes in the mid-20th century and a decline towards the late 20th to early 21st centuries. The highest birth years were 1955 (11 births) and 1973/1974 (both 11 births), while the most recent data point shows a significant drop with only 5 births in 2003.