Ireland
Ancient surname research indicates that many of the earliest Kervils, known in the Border Country of Northern England from the time of the Norman Conquest, moved to Ireland during the religious and political conflicts of the 16/17th centuries. The name 'Kearvell' is the modern English translation of the old Irish name "Cearbhall". However we are not looking for the modern spelling of our name in trying to find a link with Francis and 1693.
Scardyvylles
a very well known name in West Sussex with several spelling variations going back several centuries and said to have links with Norman aristocracy from the time of the Norman Conquest. The family is said to have fallen upon hard times and anglicised the name. However no link with Francis found.
Indications:-
Whilst retaining an open mind to all theories, if I'm allowed my best hunch (to date!!), I would have to follow either of these two theories.
Either the trading boat theory from Brittany/Normandy, which might help explain why Francis seems to just "appear" on the West Sussex scene or, the South Hampshire theory where Kervil is seen and the difference in spelling of recorded surnames (e.g. Kirvel) is so small that it might be accounted for by the differing dialects spoken at the time. After all the clergy recorded your name as you spoke it - you most probably didn't know how it was spelled in any case.
If we are considering the two theories we might look to the names of Francis' children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for a clue as to his origins, as it was commonplace at the time for children to be named after parents, grandparents and near relatives. The christian names seen are Thomas, Elizabeth, Francis, Ann, Jane, John, William, Mary, Jean and George, with no recorded foreign spellings. Thus more inclined towards 'English' names than influenced by Norman or Breton French?
One of the most striking things about our unique family is that so many of us seem to have grown up without knowing other Kearvells apart from our immediate relations. Yet the commonest theory for our origins, put forward by many branches of the family, is that of brothers coming over from Northern France and settling in this country. A story that has been handed down through the generations.
Recent discovery of a John KERVILL, birthdate and birthplace unknown, living and raising a family in West Sussex around 1700 and after points to a possible younger (?) brother of our Francis.
Maybe that points to a combination of the two theories above.
Perhaps Francis' birth is to be found somewhere in Hampshire or Isle of Wight and then in a previous century we will find the family coming to England from Northern France.
And then again........
As you can perhaps see, there is still quite a lot of evidence/theory to sift through!
Good hunting!
Ancient surname research indicates that many of the earliest Kervils, known in the Border Country of Northern England from the time of the Norman Conquest, moved to Ireland during the religious and political conflicts of the 16/17th centuries. The name 'Kearvell' is the modern English translation of the old Irish name "Cearbhall". However we are not looking for the modern spelling of our name in trying to find a link with Francis and 1693.
Scardyvylles
a very well known name in West Sussex with several spelling variations going back several centuries and said to have links with Norman aristocracy from the time of the Norman Conquest. The family is said to have fallen upon hard times and anglicised the name. However no link with Francis found.
Indications:-
Whilst retaining an open mind to all theories, if I'm allowed my best hunch (to date!!), I would have to follow either of these two theories.
Either the trading boat theory from Brittany/Normandy, which might help explain why Francis seems to just "appear" on the West Sussex scene or, the South Hampshire theory where Kervil is seen and the difference in spelling of recorded surnames (e.g. Kirvel) is so small that it might be accounted for by the differing dialects spoken at the time. After all the clergy recorded your name as you spoke it -
If we are considering the two theories we might look to the names of Francis' children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for a clue as to his origins, as it was commonplace at the time for children to be named after parents, grandparents and near relatives. The christian names seen are Thomas, Elizabeth, Francis, Ann, Jane, John, William, Mary, Jean and George, with no recorded foreign spellings. Thus more inclined towards 'English' names than influenced by Norman or Breton French?
One of the most striking things about our unique family is that so many of us seem to have grown up without knowing other Kearvells apart from our immediate relations. Yet the commonest theory for our origins, put forward by many branches of the family, is that of brothers coming over from Northern France and settling in this country. A story that has been handed down through the generations.
Recent discovery of a John KERVILL, birthdate and birthplace unknown, living and raising a family in West Sussex around 1700 and after points to a possible younger (?) brother of our Francis.
Maybe that points to a combination of the two theories above.
Perhaps Francis' birth is to be found somewhere in Hampshire or Isle of Wight and then in a previous century we will find the family coming to England from Northern France.
And then again........
As you can perhaps see, there is still quite a lot of evidence/theory to sift through!
Good hunting!
