Surname Jeffry - Meaning and Origin
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Jeffry: What does the surname Jeffry mean?
The last name Jeffry is a variant name derived from the first name Jeffrey. Jeffry or Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and is composed of two elements: "gauja", which means "peace", and "frid", which translates to "territory" or "protection". Therefore, in a broader interpretation, the name Jeffry can be understood to mean "peaceful territory" or "territorial peace". It could also imply 'traveler', as it signifies someone who moves from one area to another where there is peace. The name carries undertones of peace, protection, and safety, indicating a peaceful and protective aura in its bearer. Over time, it transformed from a given first name into a surname, and like many surnames, became a way to identify members of the same family line. It's important to note that names can carry different meanings in different cultures and regions.
Order DNA origin analysisJeffry: Where does the name Jeffry come from?
The last name Jeffry, also spelled as Jeffrey, is of Old Germanic origin. It comes from the personal name Jeffery, which was popular during the Middle Ages, derived from Germanic Godfried or Gottfried meaning "God’s peace". It was made popular by the Crusaders on their journeys to the Holy Land in the 12th and 13th centuries and was imported to England and Scotland upon their return. It is also possible that the name has French roots as Geoffrey was a common name from the Normandy region in France.
Today, this surname is widespread predominantly in the United States, England, and Scotland. It is also found in smaller concentrations in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical migration patterns from the United Kingdom. In terms of frequency, it ranks highest in Scotland. Despite its origins, it is not very common in Germany or France today.
Variations of the surname Jeffry
The surname Jeffry has a number of variations, spelling alterations and related surnames due to regional differences, language adaptations and personal preference. Some of these variants include Jeffery, Geoffrey, Jeffrey, Jephry, and Geoffry.
The name Jeffrey is a common Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the old Germanic personal name Gaufrid, which means “God-peace”. Geoffrey is a French variant of the name, popular in Medieval England. Jeffery is another common English spelling while Jephry and Geoffry are less common variations.
These names can also appear with alternate spellings due to duplication of consonants or vowels, leading to forms such as Geoffery, Jeffory, Jeffrie, Geoffree, Joffrey, Jofry, etc.
Following the tradition of patronymics, surnames indicating "son of"- like "Jefferson" and "Geofferson", could also be considered to be of the same origin. Additional variants may be derived from the diminutives such as Jeff, Jeffy, Jeffer, and Geoff.
Finding surname origins can be difficult as names evolve over time and can often be drastically altered from their original forms. Surnames often get Anglicized, modernized, simplified, or misstated in records, leading to a wide array of variations.
Famous people with the name Jeffry
- Jeffry Van Savage: Actor & producer
- Jeffry Dean Morgan: Actor
- Jeffry Tambor: Actor
- Jeffry Nordling: Actor
- Jeffry Horowitz: Actor & director
- Jeffry B. Davis: Actor
- Jeffry Greif: Director & producer
- Jeffry Wright: Actor
- Jeffry Dean Ferguson: Actor
- Jeffry Combs: Actor
- Jeffry Rush: Actor & producer
- Jeffry Kober: Actor
- Jeffry Alan Chandler: Actor & producer
- Jeffry John Norman: Actor
- Jeffry Ford: Actor