UK surname
A variant of the surname Jarvis, likely derived from a diminutive of the French name Gervais.
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Javis surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Erith, Silkstone and Hurst. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Javis is 185 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 64.5%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1861
185 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Javis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Javis surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 31 | #27,734 |
| 1861 | historical | 185 | #12,799 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 133 | #19,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 21 | #35,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 22 | #36,394 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Erith, Silkstone, Hurst, Lambeth and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erith | Kent |
| 2 | Silkstone | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Hurst | Berkshire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Javis surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Javis, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Javis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Javis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Javis is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Javis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Javis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname JAVIS has its origins in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "javis," which means "yellow" or "pale." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a yellowish complexion or pale features.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname JAVIS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated around 1190. These rolls were administrative records maintained by the English Exchequer, and they provide valuable insights into the names and locations of individuals living during that time.
In the 14th century, the surname JAVIS appeared in various forms, such as Javys, Javes, and Javis, in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. This indicates that the name had spread across different regions and had acquired slight variations in spelling.
The Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record commissioned by King Edward I, mentions a William Javys residing in Nottinghamshire. This entry provides one of the earliest documented examples of an individual bearing the JAVIS surname.
Interestingly, the JAVIS surname has also been associated with the place name Javis, a small hamlet in Lincolnshire. It is possible that some individuals adopted the surname JAVIS as a locational name, indicating their origin or connection to this particular place.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the JAVIS surname. One such figure was Sir Thomas Javis (1550-1625), an English politician and member of Parliament who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent JAVIS was John Javis (1720-1778), a British architect best known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London, including the Church of St. George's in Bloomsbury.
In the literary world, Edith Javis (1880-1957) was a British author and poet who wrote several collections of verse and children's books in the early 20th century.
During the 18th century, the JAVIS surname was also found in the American colonies. Samuel Javis (1735-1812) was a notable figure who served as a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Lastly, William Javis (1838-1905) was a British architect and surveyor who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Javis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 8 Javis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.02x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 8 | 8.02x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.74x |
| Surrey | 3 | 2.11x |
| Sussex | 3 | 6.09x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 11.07x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.55x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 9.05x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.15x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.96x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.29x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.35x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 6 Javis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington London | 6 | 36.90x |
| Gillingham | 4 | 194.17x |
| Ockham | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Hastings St Mary In The | 2 | 190.48x |
| Plumstead | 2 | 60.06x |
| Stokenchurch | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 10.83x |
| Bromley | 1 | 65.79x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 60.24x |
| Chichester All Sts | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 15.36x |
| Henbury Cum Pexhall | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 18.80x |
| Mirfield | 1 | 62.89x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 59.88x |
| Stanwell | 1 | 454.55x |
| Wrexham Regis | 1 | 121.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Javis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Javis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Javis households.
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Javis surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Javis a modern rank of #37,501.
A variant of the surname Jarvis, likely derived from a diminutive of the French name Gervais.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Javis bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.