The oldest known grandfather of us all

The oldest known grandfather of us all. But where did he come from?

The surname is not shown in any local West Sussex records prior to Francis "appearing" in first Chidham(1687), and then Bosham(1693) where he married, firstly, Mary Wiles and, after a childless marriage and Mary's death, Elizabeth Cupin.

Similair sounding surnames are recorded during the 16/17th century in:-

Sussex

names such as Karvell, Carvell and Carvill are recorded

Hampshire

particularly in South Hampshire at Romsey, Twyford, Hursley, Bishopstoke, Eling, Millbrook, Beaulieu, Fawley, Wellow, Upham

Isle of Wight

several parishes, but a search of all parish records has not revealed a Francis

Kent

isolated entries in Canterbury

Suffolk

isolated entries in Lowestoft. 17th century herring fleets were known to trade from East Anglia to the South Coast

Norfolk

isolated entries. The Kervile family were well known at Wiggenhall, near Kings Lynn from the time of the Norman Conquest until the family name died out in 1624 with the death of Henry Kervile, Knight. The family had come over with William the Conqueror and been given lands for their part in the Conquest.

Wiltshire

particularly around Downton. There are known connections between Downton and the Sussex Ports in connection with the timber industry. However a search of the parish records has not revealed a Francis.

Northumberland

isolated entries. There is research into Ancient Surnames that indicates "Kervil" as a Norman surname established in the County from the time of the Norman Conquest. Duke William of Normandy, their liege lord, had granted them lands for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The research indicates that the family originally came from Carvile or Charville in Normandy.

Other theories:-

Arundel Castle Sussex

was taken over by the Howard Family (from Wiggenhall area in Norfolk) in 16th century and thus gives a possible connection between the two counties as staff would have transferred. However a search through the estate records by the Arundel Castle Archivist has shown no evidence of the surname.

Huguenot

Kervil surname is known in Brittany and Francis "appears" on South Coast of England only two years after the largest exodus of Huguenots from France in 1685. However a commissioned search of Huguenot Society records by Michael Gandy, an historical researcher with the Society, has shown no evidence that the surname was Huguenot. The only name of note was Louise Renee de Keroualle (Madam Carwell), one of Charles II's mistresses and granted naturalisation in 1673. She was later Duchess of Portsmouth.

Normandy

'Carvel' is a Norman word and relates to the wooden planking on ships. The small village of Carville is in the old Duchy of Normandy - (see connected entry for Northumberland above).

Flemish/Dutch

'Kervil' is an old Dutch word for the Chervil herb and, alhough rare, has been used as a surname.

Brittany

'Ker' is a Breton word meaning a farm or small village. The surname Kervella is to be found in the Finistere area and there are a few families with the name Kervil. I am in correspondence with a Michel Kervil of Vitre who is researching his name. The oldest relative he has found, marries at the village of Plumelec in 1722.

Interestingly, I have written to a Breton pen friend for the past 40 years. I stayed with his family in Rennes when I was a teenager and on one occasion we visited his grandparents at their farm - which was named "Kervilor".

Sea trading

A common story amongst the family is that of a distant great grandfather ( usually said to be one of either two or three brothers) running a trading boat between Brittany/Normandy and the Sussex Ports from the french side before settling in this country. Perhaps one of the hardest theories ever to prove but, strangely, the sort of story that is handed down from generation to generation - and just might be true!!

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. Maybe that points to a combination of the two theories above. Perhaps Francis' birth is to be found somewhere in Hampshire 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!