Surname Jeffares - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Jeffares: What does the surname Jeffares mean?
The last name Jeffares is derived from the English term "Geoffrey" or "God's peace". This surname was popularized by Geoffrey d'Anjou, a French nobleman, during the 1100s. The term "Jeffares" can be linked back to the Old French "gefiers"—a combination of "geof" (meaning "God's peace") and "fier" ("to render"), together meaning "one who will render God's peace". The literal translation of the word is "transmitter or servant of God's peace".
Throughout the years, the last name has been adopted by families all over the world and various spelling variations have been used to reflect local dialects. Other variations throughout the centuries have included "Jeoffrois," "Geoffroi," "Geofray," and "Geoffreys."
The main use of the surname Jeffares would have been to distinguish one person from another. The people who would have taken on this surname would have been involved in some sort of land transaction, title of nobility or deed of protection. The Jeffares family is likely one that has remained prominent through the centuries as it has stayed intact despite the many diverging routes of its members.
In modern times, the name Jeffares is most commonly associated with a family of landowners, nobility and military officers. It can also be found in various countries around the world, with cultures putting their own unique twist on its spelling. No matter the spelling though, it can be seen that Jeffares remains an enduring testament to the legacy of Geoffrey d’Anjou and the families that adopted this surname in its many forms.
Order DNA origin analysisJeffares: Where does the name Jeffares come from?
The Jeffares surname is most commonly found in England, Wales, and Scotland, although individuals bearing the name also reside in various other parts of the world. The name originated as a patronymic form of the name Jeffrey, a medieval variation of the biblical name "Geoffrey". The highest concentrations of the name are located in the English counties of Devon, Lincolnshire, and Warwickshire. Additionally, there is a small number of individuals with the Jeffares name living in the United States, including California, Michigan, New York, and Texas.
The Jeffares surname is a prominent one in the history of the United Kingdom. The family's coat of arms have been carried and passed down through generations in the form of a beautiful tapestry. Additionally, a church dedicated to Saint Jeffares can be found in Saint Albans, England. This church is believed to have existed since as early as the 7th century, long before the adoption of surnames in the region.
Today, the Jeffares surname is a continued source of pride for many families around the world. Families with this surname are kind and welcoming, and they continue to keep close ties with one another. Whether it's a family reunion or an event celebrating the centuries-long history of the Jeffares family, the importance of family is always held in high regard.
Variations of the surname Jeffares
The surname Jeffares has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These may include Jefferiss, Jefferys, Jefferies, Jeffrys, Jeffreys, Jeffries, Jeffreys, Jeffreyes, Jefreys, Jeffres, Jefres, and Jeffors.
Jeffares is an English surname that may come from a variety of Old French and Anglo-Norman sources. One possible origin is from the Old French “jofre.” This was derived from the Late Latin “gaufridus” and meant “ God’s peace” or “God’s strength.” This term was also used in Old English as “Geoffre.” For many centuries, this surname was used to denote someone who was a peaceful man or someone who had strength.
Another possible source of Jeffares is derived from the Anglo-Norman “jeffer” or the Middle German “gefdere.” Both terms were used to denote a hunter or gamekeeper in medieval England. As the population increased during the Middle Ages, many people branched out into various trades and professions and these names meant that the bearer of the name had a certain expertise in hunting game.
In some cases, the surname of Jeffares could have also been derived from other place names such as Jaffray, Jaffree, and Jeffrey. These were all derived from Old French personal names that had the meaning of “son of Jeffrey.” The name Jeffrey could come from the Latin “Gaufridus” which means “God’s peace” or “God’s strength.”
In summary, the surname Jeffares can have a variety of different origin and spellings including Jefferiss, Jefferys, Jefferies, Jeffrys, Jeffreys, Jeffries, Jeffreys, Jeffreyes, Jefreys, Jeffres, Jefres, Jeffors, Jaffray, Jaffree, Jeffrey, and more. Its origins can be traced back to Old French and Anglo-Norman words such as “jofre” and “jeffer” that meant peaceful man, gamekeeper, or son of Jeffrey, which comes from the Latin term “Gaufridus” meaning “God’s peace” or “God’s strength.”
Famous people with the name Jeffares
- Tom Jeffares: British race car driver and writer.
- Archie Jeffares: professional mixed martial artist and record producer.
- David Jeffares: American actor and comedian.
- John Jeffares: Irish classical music composer and producer.
- Lara Jeffares: British model and television presenter.
- Daniel Jeffares: Brazilian footballer.
- Mark Jeffares: American rock musician and composer.
- Bonnie Jeffares: Australian actor and voice actor.
- Jodie Jeffares: Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist.
- Robert Jeffares: Canadian actor and producer.