Surname Jeffreys - Meaning and Origin

Jeffreys: What does the surname Jeffreys mean?

The last name Jeffreys is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from the first name Jeffrey. Jeffrey means the "peace of a stranger" or "territory peace", hence Jeffreys can be interpreted as "son of Jeffrey" or belonging to Jeffrey. It is a patronymic surname that originated from a popular medieval first name, which was introduced into England by the Normans during the Conquest of 1066. The name Jeffrey originates from the Germanic name 'Gaufrid' which combines the elements "gau" meaning district or region and "frid" meaning peace. However, the surname form, Jeffreys, appears in written historical documents around the late 13th century. This surname is common not only in England but also in Wales and other English-speaking countries. Variations of the surname include Jeffers, Jefferies, Jefries, and others. It's always essential to note with surnames that their meaning could have diversified over centuries and across geographical boundaries. Therefore they may have more meanings or interpretations beyond the commonly accepted ones.

Jeffreys: Where does the name Jeffreys come from?

The surname Jeffreys is of Old French origin, derived from the personal name Jeffery, which in turn originates from the Old German name "Gaufrid." This name consists of two elements: "gau" meaning district or region, and "frid" signifying peace. The name made its way to England and Wales through the Normans during the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the name became popular in England and was given as a baptismal name, eventually becoming a surname. An early example of this name is found as "Geoffreyus" in the Hampshire Pipe Rolls of 1166.

Today, the surname Jeffreys is common in major English-speaking countries, but especially prevalent in Wales and England, where its use is historically concentrated. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. A notable bearer of this name was George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, a notorious judge in the court of King James II of England.

Variations of the surname Jeffreys

The surname Jeffreys originated from the personal name Jeffrey. It is often found in different forms due to regional differences and pronunciation changes over the years. Common variants and spellings include Jeffries, Jefferies, Jeffers, Jeffrey, Jeffry, Jeffray, and Geoffreys. The name may also be anglicized as Godfrey in some cases. The variations mainly depend on how the surname has been recorded over centuries in different regions and countries, including England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

In Wales, the most common variations are Jefferies and Jeffreys, while in Scotland, Jeffrey is more popular. The addition of an "s" at the end of the name is common in England and signifies "son of." For example, Jeffreys translates to "son of Jeffrey."

It's also important to note some people also add or drop letters from the surname, leading to further variations like Jeffryes, Jeoffreys, and Jaffray. The surnames Geoffroy, Geffroy, and Geofroy seen in French-speaking countries are thought to have the same origin but have evolved differently due to linguistic differences.

Famous people with the name Jeffreys

• Macy Jeffreys: an actor who frequently appeared in Hallmark films.
• Richard Jeffreys: a British professor and historian from the 14th century
• Ruby Jeffreys: an Australian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics
• André Jeffreys: a French actor who starred in the French movie Les Yeux de Caligula
• Emily Jeffreys: a Canadian actress known for her roles in The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural
• David Jeffreys: a British musician and record producer
• Thomas Jeffreys: an English cartographer who was well known for his Atlas of the British Isles
• John Jeffreys: a Welsh-born American sculptor who worked in the art nouveau and art deco style
• Richard Jeffreys: an English barrister and judge during the 19th century
• Bill Jeffreys: an American film director, best known for writing and directing the horror movie The Prey.

Other surnames

JeffressJeffrey