Surname Jeffries - Meaning and Origin

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G. Jeffries

Jeffries: What does the surname Jeffries mean?

The last name Jeffries originates from the personal name Jeffrey, which is of Germanic origin. The name Jeffrey is a combination of two elements: "gauji" meaning "region, territory" and "frid" implying "peace". So essentially, the last name Jeffries, derived from Jeffrey, translates roughly to "peace in one's territory". It became a popular first name in England after the Norman conquest in the 11th century and evolved into a surname. Over time, it has taken on several variations including Jeffers, Jeffreys, and Jefferis. The name is particularly popular in England and Wales.

Jeffries: Where does the name Jeffries come from?

The surname Jeffries is of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name Jeffrey, which itself comes from the Germanic name 'Godfrey'. It is a patronymic name forming a compound of Geoffrey's or Godfrey's son, "Jeffrey's" and the suffix "s", which means son of.

Historically, it was common in the region of Herefordshire, England, along the border of Wales. It started spreading to other parts of the United Kingdom probably in the 16th century, especially with the British tradition of changing place names and surnames regularly.

Today, the surname Jeffries is common in English-speaking territories such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the U.S, it is most prevalent in the state of Texas. Despite its Welsh origins, it's not especially common in Wales today, as patronymic naming patterns have become less popular. New South Wales in Australia also has a significant number of people with the Jeffries surname. However, its frequency is varied and it's not considered one of the most common surnames in these regions.

Variations of the surname Jeffries

The surname Jeffries is of English origin and has several related spellings and variants. These include Jeffers, Jefferies, Jefferis, Jeffreys, Geoffreys, Jeffris, and Jefferess. The name may sometimes be shortened to Jeffs. Other international variations of the name can include Gjefr, a Norwegian variant, or Gjevre, a Danish one.

Ieff, Jeoff, and Ieoff are surnames from old English commonly associated with Jeffries. These might be clan names dating back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain.

The Jeffries surname is believed to have originated from personal names such as Geoffrey or Godfrey. This is because the 's' at the end is indicative of patronymic surnames, meaning 'son of Geoffrey' or 'son of Godfrey'.

It's important to remember that name variations may also be due to regional accents, illiteracy or differences in language- people may spell the name as they hear it. For example, in the United States, Jeffries is more common, while in the UK, Jefferies, Jeffreys and Jeffers are well known.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and variations may exist based on regional and cultural differences.

Famous people with the name Jeffries

• Catilyn Jeffries: American actress and model.
• Jason Jeffries: American professional surfer.
• Gail Jeffries: American singer/songwriter and record producer.
• Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (aka Questlove): American musician, DJ, author, producer, and actor.
• Terry Jeffries: Former professional football player and coach.
• Roger Jeffries: English professional rugby union player.
• Charles Jeffries: Former professional football player and coach.
• Jon "Bones" Jones: American professional mixed martial artist.
• Mike Jeffries: American corporate executive and former CEO and Chairman of Abercrombie & Fitch.
• Rickey Jeffries Jr.: American professional basketball player.
• Gerald Jeffries: Former Major League Baseball player.
• Courtney Jeffries: Olympic swimmer for the US.
• Belinda Jeffries: English Olympic diver.
• Gene Jeffries: Linebacker and defensive tackle for the New York Giants.
• Donald Jeffries: Musician and actor.
• Misty Jeffries: US National Bowling champion.
• Monique Jeffries: Choreographer, hip-hop dancer, and professional dancer.
• Jeran Jeffries: Former professional basketball player.
• Ricky Jeffries: American sprinter.
• Bob Jeffries: Former NFL running back.

Other surnames

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