Surname Jeffords - Meaning and Origin

Jeffords: What does the surname Jeffords mean?

The surname Jeffords is of English origin and it is a variant of the name Jefferson, which itself is derived from a patronymic form of the given name Jeffrey. The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peace territory". So, the surname Jeffords can be interpreted as "son of Jeffrey" or "son of the peaceful territory". It is important to note that surnames can have different meanings and origins in different cultures and regions so the interpretation might vary. Additionally, over the centuries and through migration, surnames have evolved and adapted, and their original meaning may have been altered or lost. Like many surnames, Jeffords could also be related to a geographical location, occupation, or a notable ancestor. Considering its English origin, it is quite common in the United States and England.

Jeffords: Where does the name Jeffords come from?

The surname Jeffords is of Old French origin. It is derived from personal name Jeffrey, which means "peaceful territory" or "stranger's cross." The "-s" at the end denotes son of, thus Jeffords can mean "son of Jeffrey." The surname is also linked to Welsh and Norman-English origin from the medieval personal name Geffrey. During the Middle Ages, it was a popular Christian name in England, and it was introduced by the Normans after the invasion in 1066. The surname is most common today in the United States, especially in the southern states including South Carolina and Georgia. It is also found in lesser numbers in England and Wales. Notable people are James Merrill Jeffords, a former U.S. Senator from Vermont, and Terry Alan Jeffords, a character in the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Variations of the surname Jeffords

The surname Jeffords is likely a variant of Geffords or Giffords, English surnames of Anglo-Saxon origin. Other variants may include Jeffers, Jeffres, Jaffords, or Jefords. The surname Gifford itself has many alternate spellings that could indirectly relate to the variant Jeffords, such as Giffard, Gyfford, Gifferd, Gifard, Jiffard, and more.

The surname Jeffords is likely a patronymic surname, meaning it initially derived from the first name of a father. It possibly evolved from a son of Jeffery or Geoffrey, which was common practice in medieval England.

Sometimes, surnames evolve over time due to regional pronunciation, or illiteracy leading to creative spellings. Therefore, surnames that sound similar but are spelled differently can possibly have the same origin. For instance, Jefford, Jifford, Geofford, and Jephord could also potentially be related to Jeffords.

However, without specific genealogical evidence tracing back the lineage of a particular Jeffords family, it can be hard to determine with certainty all possible variants or related surnames.

Famous people with the name Jeffords

• Jim Jeffords: a former U.S. Senator from Vermont who served from 1989 to 2007
• Liz Jeffords: a professional stuntwoman primarily known for performing in movies such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Jurassic Park, and Die Hard
• Mark Jeffords, Sr.: an American actor and filmmaker
• Frank Jeffords: American auto racing driver
• Richard Jeffords: a professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies
• Chris Jeffords: a basketball scout and former assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors
• Randall Jeffords: an American video game designer
• Robert Jeffords: a retired U.S. Navy admiral
• Adam Jeffords: a former NFL player
• Herbert Jeffords: a former professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association.

Other surnames

Jefford