Surname Jeffs - Meaning and Origin
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Jeffs: What does the surname Jeffs mean?
The surname Jeffs is of English origin. It is a patronymic form of the given name Jeff, which in itself is a short form of Jeffrey. The name Jeffrey is derived from the Germanic name Godafrid, which means “God’s peace”. Therefore, Jeffs implies "son of Jeffrey or Jeff". Like many patronymic names, the "s" at the end of Jeffs indicates "son of", showing the descent from a father with the name Jeff. This form of naming was common in various cultures, particularly in the medieval period in England where names were often based on father's or grandfather's names, occupations, or locations. Despite its origins, the surname Jeffs is now found around the world. Bear in mind that the meaning or interpretation of a surname can still vary across different cultures and regions as they are influenced by several factors including geography, history, and language.
Order DNA origin analysisJeffs: Where does the name Jeffs come from?
The last name Jeffs is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a patronymic derivative of the personal name Jeffrey, which itself is derived from the Norman personal name Geoffrey. The suffix "s" suggests a derivative of 'Jeffrey's son'. This surname originated in the medieval period in England although it incorporates elements of pre-7th century Norse-Viking and Old French origins.
The name spread throughout the English-speaking world as a result of immigration, colonialism, and the slave trade. Today, it is fairly common in countries like England and the United States. The highest population of Jeffs families in the UK in 1891 was found in Sussex. In the U.S., Utah has the highest population of Jeffs families in 1880. In Australia, most Jeffs families were found in New South Wales in the 19th century.
The name is associated with various notable individuals, such as fundamentalist Mormon leader Warren Jeffs. Nonetheless, the distribution of the Jeffs surname is not particularly high in any single country, reinforcing its diffuse historical and geographical origins.
Variations of the surname Jeffs
The surname Jeffs is primarily of English origin. It is a variant of the male given name Jeff, which is itself a nickname for the names Geoffrey or Jefferson. Consequently, this surname is a patronymic family name meaning "son of Jeff."
There are various other spellings and variants for the surname Jeffs. These include Jeff, Jeffe, Jeffes, Jephes, Jeffson, Jefts, and Jephson. The similar surname Jefferson also originates from the same root, meaning "son of Jeffery".
Surnames that have a similar origin, in the fact they come from a first name or surname with a "-son" added to it, include Johnson (from John), Wilson (from Will), and Jackson (from Jack), among others.
However, keep in mind that the exact variants and offshoots of the surname Jeffs can differ greatly depending on the family's cultural background, history, and individual circumstances. Some families might have altered or anglicized the surname over time, while others might have a unique spelling that has been passed down through generations. There may also be other similarly spelled surnames that are of a different origin.
Famous people with the name Jeffs
- Warren Jeffs: acontroversial leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) and a convicted sex offender.
- Alexander Jeffs: the patriarch of the Jeffs family, one of the most influential families in the history of the UK.
- Emma Jeffs: an English actress and a former member of the English National Ballet.
- Wayne Jeffs: an English former professional rugby union footballer.
- Bill Jeffs: a Canadian politician, a former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Tillsonburg-Oxford.
- Bill Jeffs Jr.: an American reality television personality, born to Bill Jeffs and his wife Margaret.
- Rebecca Jeffs: an American celebrity, better known for being Warren Jeffs' daughter.
- Justin Jeffs: a Canadian singer and songwriter, best known for his single "Turn Left".
- Tom Jeffs: an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a stand-off and two-time World Cup winner.
- Ephraim H. Jeffs: an American Latter Day Saint leader and the brother of Warren Jeffs.