Alias of GRILL

In the earlier note I advised about the exciting news that, in Bosham burial records, there is an entry that shows our oldest known ancestor, Francis Kervil, with the alias of GRILL.

 

In England

I have undertaken some research into the surname of GRILL and it is interesting to note that in England in the 17th century, the name is largely confined to Devon and Cornwall. Clearly a south coast link is a possibility between Cornwall and Sussex.

 

I have also made contact with Richard Grylls, who has extensive family trees for the Grylls/Grill family and he has researched these for possible Francis Grill connections. There are one or two 'Francis Grills' candidates but sadly none that appear to fit our "Francis".

 

 

In Europe

The wider incidence of this name in Europe in the 17th century shows it again to be seen in particular areas:-

 

Austria - Steiermark, Graz

Switzerland - Vaud

France - Bas-Rhin, Pyrenees Orientales

Germany - Rheinland, Sachsen

Italy - Torino

 

If you have read the Family Article 'DNA and Genealogy' you will have seen that I have obtained the genetic signature of my Y-chromosone, the chromosone passed from father to son. This signature has been compared with a database of results and matches are shown in red on the map of Europe with that Article. Interestingly the 'hits' for my results have a large concentration in Central Europe and include all the above areas.

 

Huguenot

If you have read the Family Article about Francis Kervil you will know that one avenue researched has been any Huguenot connection. Michael Gandy, a Huguenot Historian and Researcher was commissioned in 2000 to investigate and he discovered no link with the name Kervil.

 

Now the discovery of the possible alias, GRILL, has prompted me to again commission Michael Gandy. He has undertaken extensive research in Huguenot records including looking through some interesting Wills for a GRILL connection. The surname does exist from the Dieppe area but no reference to a likely Francis can be found

 

Brittany/Normandy

 

I am in contact with French family genealogists for both surnames  Kervil and Kervella. There are a number of 17th century Francis Kervella births recorded in Brittany that took place in the likely period of the birth of our Francis Kervil but, as yet, no likely Kervil birth records.. The Kervella contacts are undertaking more research into these entries on my behalf.

 

 

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