In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Kervil was found in Northumberland where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

 

Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although your name, Kervil, appeared in many references, from time to time the surname included Carvill, Carvel, Carvell, Carvil, Carvile, Carville, Kervel, Carvaile, Carwell, McCarvill, Charville, Cherevile, Chervyle, Cerville, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either resulted from a branch preference, religious affiliation, or sometimes nationalistic statements.

 

The family name Kervil is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race, frequently but mistakenly assumed to be of French origin. They were more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Thorfinn Rollo, his descendant landed in northern France about the year 910 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Rollo married Charles’ daughter and became a convert to Christianity. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

 

Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this manuscript, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

 

The surname Kervil emerged as a notable family name in the county of Northumberland where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at Berwick on Tweed with manor and estates in that shire. They originally came from the place called Carvile or Charville in Normandy, and as with many of the Norman families settling on the English-Scottish border they were possessed of lands on both sides of the border, although their first settlement was at New Mankton in Yorkshire, they also acquired lands in Aberbrothock by the year 1204 when Roger Kervel witnessed a charter by King William the Lion of Scotland. They flourished in the border region until 1603 when the border clans were disbanded to many parts of Britain. Prominent amongst the family at this time was Roger Kervel of border fame.