Origin and Meaning of Gervais

Spear or servant

Origin: Old French - Derived from the Old French name 'Gervais', which is a compound of the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'vais' meaning 'servant' or 'to be strong'.

• Gervais is often associated with St. Gervasius, a Christian martyr who is commemorated in various religious traditions.
• The name has been primarily used in French-speaking regions but has variations found in other languages, such as Gervasio in Italian and Gervase in English.
• Notable bearers of the name include Gervais de Tilbury, a medieval scholar, and the modern French comedian and actor Gervais Martel.
• While Gervais has not been a common name in recent years, it retains a certain vintage charm and has seen slight revivals in popularity in some regions.
• Variations like Gervasio and Gervase have also been historically popular and may appear in different cultural contexts.