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Surname Zervas - Meaning and Origin

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Zervas: What does the surname Zervas mean?

The last name Zervas is of Greek origin and is derived from the Greek word "zervos" which means "slender". In Greece, the name has been in use since at least the 12th century. It is primarily found in central and northern Greece, with stronger concentrations around the cities of Thessaloniki, Lefkada, and Patras.

The name is often associated with the name of Zervas, an ancient and important family that was prominent in the Peloponnesian War of 431-404 BC. The family had a major presence in the politics and military of ancient Greece and even in the current era, many Greeks with the last name Zervas hold titles of Royalty. Additionally, Zervas is commonly given as a first name to boys in Greece, indicating the roots of the Zervas family.

In modern times, Zervas is still a prominent last name mainly in Greece, but also in several other European countries where Greeks have migrated. The meaning of the name indicates a proud, slender, independent character, and the many notable Greeks with the last name Zervas who continue to make a positive impact on their societies reflect this definition.

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Zervas: Where does the name Zervas come from?

The last name Zervas is most common today in countries with a significant Greek population, such as Greece, Cyprus, Albania, and some other countries in the region. The Greek version of the name is Ζερβάς and has been around for centuries. It is thought to have originated as a patronymic name, meaning that it was derived from either the father's or a male ancestor's given name.

In modern Greece the Zervas family is widespread. In fact, it is one of the top twenty surnames in the country. Cyprus, itself boasting a large Greek populace, has also seen the Zervas surname as one of its most common.

The Zervas family tree also spread to Europe in the late nineteenth century as a result of the economic pressures of the Greek diaspora. Today, there are sizable Zervas populations in Russian cities such as Samara, located in the federal district of Volga.

Surname distribution maps show that the Zervas name is growing in other countries as well, such as Romania, Italy, Australia, and Canada. Over the last century, the Zervas surname has experienced an impressive spread around the world due to the globalized and interconnected nature of our modern world.

Variations of the surname Zervas

The surname Zervas has multiple variants in regards to spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variations generally stem from the different pronunciations and spellings of the original Greek surname. The most common variants of the surname Zervas include: Zerwas, Zervos, Zervakis, Zervoulis, Zervakos, Zervopoulos, Zervoglou and Zervasopoulou.

The spelling of the surname was believed to be given as 'Zervas' upon entry into English records due to the pronunciation of the surname by English-speaking officials who would have encountered the name. The original Greek spelling of the surname was believed to have been 'Zerfas', with a corresponding pronuciation of 'zerv-as'.

Variations of the surname have appeared in different countries as a result of the immigration of people with the surname Zervas. In Canada, 'Zervos' is the most prevalent spelling of the surname whilst the preferred version of the family name in the United States is 'Zerwas'.

The surnames Zervas and Zervos are believed to have origins in mainland Greece and in islands such as Crete and Rhodes. Examinations of records prior to 1800 reveal the surname appeared in various forms such as 'Zervan', 'Zervani' and 'Zervanos'. Certain regions of Greece such Cyprus also presented variations of the surname in forms such as 'Zervakos'.

Other possibe variants of the surname Zervas can include 'Tsarvas', 'Tsarvou' and 'Zarvas', as a result of changes to the surnames during periods of emigration. It is also possible for the surname to be reduced to 'Zerf', impacting the original pronuciation of the surname.

In summary, there is a multitude of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zervas.

Famous people with the name Zervas

  • Max Zervas: Greek footballer and member of the National Football Team
  • Paul Zervas: Greek resistance fighter who took part in the Battle of Crete during World War II
  • Aphrodite Zervas: Greek professor of Psychology and former top member of the Greek Ministry of Education
  • Yannis Zervas: Greek singer, songwriter, and recording artist
  • Olympia Zervas: Greek-Australian singer-songwriter and music producer
  • Bill Zervas: Greek-American professional basketball player
  • Michael Zervas: Greek chef and owner of the Zervas Restaurant and Catering
  • Panos Zervas: Greek television presenter, radio broadcast journalist and newsreader
  • Voula Zervas: Greek political analyst and commentator
  • Theo Zervas: Greek singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist.

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