UK surname
An occupational surname derived from a servant or server role.
In the 1881 census there were 78 people recorded with the Servis surname, ranking it #22,500 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #22,500 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Acton, Barking and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Servis is 163 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.2%.
1881 census count
78
Ranked #22,500
Modern count
49
2016, ranked #34,957
Peak year
1861
163 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Servis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Servis surname density by area, 1861 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 | 39 | #26,319 |
| 1861 | historical | 163 | #14,242 |
| 1881 | historical | 78 | #22,500 |
| 1891 | historical | 75 | #27,414 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 71 | #30,521 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 73 | #30,856 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 68 | #31,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 69 | #32,343 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 57 | #34,538 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 49 | #34,957 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Acton, Barking, St Dunstan Stepney, Llangynider and Kettering. 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 | Acton | Cheshire |
| 2 | Barking | Essex |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Llangynider | Brecon |
| 5 | Kettering | Northamptonshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Servis 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 Servis, 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 Servis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Servis 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, Servis 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 Servis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Servis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SERVIS is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "serwis," which referred to a servant or someone who performed services for others.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SERVIS can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in the records as "Seruissun," indicating that it was already in use by that time.
In the 13th century, the name SERVIS was often associated with individuals who worked as domestic servants or performed various tasks for nobility or wealthy landowners. Some historical records from this period mention people with the surname SERVIS holding positions such as butler, steward, or manservant in noble households.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the name SERVIS became more widespread across different regions of England. It was sometimes spelled as "Servys," "Servyes," or "Serveis," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling that were common at the time.
One notable individual with the surname SERVIS was John Servis (c. 1390-1452), who served as a member of the English Parliament representing the county of Norfolk. Another was William Servis (c. 1420-1488), a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who was recorded as owning several properties in the area.
In the 16th century, the name SERVIS continued to be associated with service-related occupations, but it also began to appear among individuals involved in other professions and trades. For example, Thomas Servis (c. 1510-1580) was a renowned clockmaker and instrument maker in London, known for his innovative designs and craftsmanship.
Another notable figure with the surname SERVIS was Richard Servis (c. 1570-1638), a Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics and was involved in the early settlement of New England.
As the centuries progressed, the surname SERVIS spread to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other countries through immigration and migration. While its origins can be traced back to England, the name has since been adopted by families and individuals across various cultures and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Servis 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. Middlesex leads with 11 Servis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.45x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.45x |
| Aberdeenshire | 10 | 14.19x |
| Surrey | 10 | 2.70x |
| Cheshire | 8 | 4.76x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 3.65x |
| Worcestershire | 7 | 7.05x |
| Essex | 6 | 4.00x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.66x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.33x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.16x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.22x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 2.37x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.75x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.75x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.82x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdeen Old Machar in Aberdeenshire leads with 10 Servis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.98x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 10 | 67.98x |
| Birkenhead | 8 | 59.75x |
| Birmingham | 7 | 10.95x |
| Pershore Holy Cross | 7 | 1093.75x |
| Chertsey | 6 | 250.00x |
| Barking | 4 | 91.12x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 4 | 26.09x |
| Farnham | 4 | 138.89x |
| Westminster St | 4 | 142.86x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 10.29x |
| Houghton On The Hill | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 2 | 42.11x |
| St Botolph Bishopsgate | 2 | 185.19x |
| St George Hanover | 2 | 20.14x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 3.27x |
| West Ham | 2 | 6.03x |
| Birkdale | 1 | 43.86x |
| Cottingham | 1 | 61.73x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 5.00x |
| Ipswich St Clement | 1 | 42.37x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.36x |
| Lutton | 1 | 500.00x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1 | 7.86x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 52.08x |
| Openshaw | 1 | 23.64x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 25.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Servis 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 Servis 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 Servis households.
FAQ
In 1881, 78 people were recorded with the Servis surname. That placed it at #22,500 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Servis a modern rank of #34,957.
An occupational surname derived from a servant or server role.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Servis 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.