Last Name Kerviel

The last name Kerviel is of French origin. It is believed to be derived from the Brittany region of France, specifically the village of Kerviel in the Morbihan department. The name likely comes from the Breton word "ker," meaning village or town, and "viel," possibly derived from the Breton word "fel" meaning "generous" or "faithful." Overall, the last name Kerviel likely originally referred to someone from the village of Kerviel or someone who exhibited qualities of generosity or loyalty.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kerviel

The meaning and origin of the last name Kerviel

The surname Kerviel is of French origin and is believed to have derived from the Breton word "ker" meaning "village" or "home" and "viel" meaning "old". This suggests that the name may have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived in an old village or homestead. The name could have been given to individuals who were from a specific village within Brittany or who were associated with a particular old property or land. Variants of the name Kerviel may include Ker vielle, Ker Ville, and Kervillé. The surname Kerviel is relatively rare and may have its roots in the historical region of Brittany in France.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kerviel

The last name Kerviel appears to be most commonly found in France, specifically in the Bretagne region. This is likely due to the fact that Kerviel is a Breton surname derived from the word "ker", meaning village or settlement, and "viel", meaning old. As such, it is plausible that individuals with the surname Kerviel have ancestral ties to the region of Bretagne or surrounding areas. While the name may have spread to other parts of France or even other countries through migration or marriage, its highest concentration remains in its region of origin. Overall, the surname Kerviel is relatively rare and specific to a certain geographical area, indicating a strong connection to the cultural and historical roots of the Bretagne region in France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kerviel

The last name Kerviel can be found with various spellings and variations. Some common variations include Kerwiel, Kervielle, Kerfiel, and Kerrviel. These variations may be a result of different regional dialects or changes in spelling over time. Additionally, the last name Kerviel may also be written with diacritical marks, such as Kerviél or Kervièl, to indicate the pronunciation of the name. Regardless of the spelling or variation, the last name Kerviel likely has its roots in French or Breton origins, as it is a relatively uncommon surname with limited distribution. Overall, the variations of the last name Kerviel demonstrate the diversity and evolution of surnames within different cultures and languages.

Famous people with the last name Kerviel

There is only one famous person with the last name Kerviel - Jérôme Kerviel. He is a former French trader who gained notoriety for his role in the Société Générale trading loss scandal of 2008. Kerviel was found guilty of breach of trust, forgery, and unauthorized computer use, resulting in losses of €4.9 billion for the bank. He claimed that his superiors were aware of his risky trading practices and turned a blind eye as long as he was making profits. Kerviel's actions led to one of the largest losses ever recorded by a rogue trader in financial history. Despite serving time in prison, Kerviel maintains that he was a scapegoat for the bank's failures and continues to fight for his reputation.

Genealogical research on the last name Kerviel

The last name Kerviel is a relatively uncommon surname with origins in France. The name is believed to have originated from the Breton region of Brittany in northwestern France. It is possibly derived from the Breton personal name "Ker" which means 'fortress' or 'castle', suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have been associated with a fortress or castle. The Kerviel family may have been of noble or aristocratic descent, given the association with a fortress. The surname Kerviel is not widely found outside of France, indicating that it is likely to be a regional surname specific to the Breton region. Further research into church records, census data, and historical documents in Brittany may provide more insights into the genealogy and history of the Kerviel family.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "kerviel"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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