Surname Jefford - Meaning and Origin

Jefford: What does the surname Jefford mean?

The surname Jefford is of early medieval English origin. The name is derived from the joining of two Old French personal names, "Geoffroi" and "Gaufrid". These are themselves variants of the personal name "Gaufrid", from the Germanic "Gaufrid", composed of the elements "gau", meaning territory, and "frid", peace. In English, this name became "Geoffrey". The 'f' spelling in names, Jeffrey and Jefford, reflects the Norman influence. Therefore, its roots can be traced back to the individual bearers' parentage or patronage under Geoffrey, a notable leader or ancestor in the Norman tradition. Offering a general approximation of its meaning, Jefford can be loosely interpreted as 'peaceful territory'. It's also important to remember that surname meanings can vary based on their historical and cultural contexts.

Jefford: Where does the name Jefford come from?

The surname Jefford is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from a personal name. It is an altered form of the Middle English personal name Geffrey, itself coming from the Norman French name Geoffroi. The ending "ord" was likely added as a signifier to "son of" or "descendant of." This naming tradition was common in medieval England.

While the last name Jefford is not incredibly common worldwide, it is primarily found in English-speaking countries. It is most prevalent in England, as per its Anglo-Saxon origin, followed by the United States, Canada, and Australia. According to recent data, it is most densely populated in Norfolk, a county on the eastern coast of England.

Like many surnames, over the years, it has seen variations in its spelling. Examples of that include Jeaffreson, Jeffray, Jephson, and many others. Notable people with the surname Jefford include British actress Barbara Jefford and English writer W.J. Jefford.

Variations of the surname Jefford

The surname Jefford is of English origin that possibly originated from the personal name Geff or Giffard. The meaning of "Giffard" is "given hardness" or "hardy", which could indicate a person characterized by strength and boldness.

Based on its phonetic characteristics, the surname Jefford can have several variations and alternate spellings. Some of these include Gifford, Jephord, Jafford, Jeffords, Jeffard, and Gefford.

In the past, spelling was not standardized, and surnames could be spelled differently in various documents for the same individual. Therefore, it is also possible that this surname could be documented with other spellings stemming from local dialects, phonetic spellings, or transcription errors.

While we don't have specific surnames of the "same origin" as Jefford, surnames that evolved from personal names, like Jefford did, could be considered of the "same origin". For example, the surnames Williams (from William), Roberts (from Robert), and Johnson (from John) all originated from personal names.

Always remember to consider these variations when conducting genealogical research. It's important to be flexible with spelling to locate all possible records associated with your ancestors.

Famous people with the name Jefford

• Chris Jefford: English actor, known for his roles in UK soap operas Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and Doctors.
• Graeme Jefford: English former professional football player who also had brief spells in American Soccer.
• Suzy Jefford: British singer and actress, most famous for her role in the BBC drama Our Girl.
• Paul Jefford— British film and television composer, known for his works in science-fiction and fantasy projects.
• Pete Jefford: English guitarist and vocalist for the indie rock band Editors.
• Nathan Jefford: British television presenter and actor, known for his roles on shows such as The Chase and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
• Edward Jefford: English cricketer, who played for first-class county teams Warwickshire and Worcestershire during the late 19th century.
• Henry Jefford: British actor, most noted for his role in the BBC drama Survivors.
• Michael Jefford: English footballer who played for Premiership club Leyton Orient in the early 2000s.
• Will Jefford: American actor and producer, known for his roles in the feature films Sexy Beast and Aztec Warrior.

Other surnames

Jeffords