Surname Geoffroy - Meaning and Origin

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Q. Geoffroy

Geoffroy: What does the surname Geoffroy mean?

The surname Geoffroy (also spelled Jeffroy) originates from a French personal name composed of two elements: 'Gaufrid' (from the Germanic ‘wald’ meaning 'rule' and 'fridu' meaning 'peace') and 'ric', which stands for 'ruler'. This combination created the name 'Gaufrid-ric', which stands for 'ruler of peace'.

The first recorded mention of the Geoffroy name is found in the 10th century, when a certain Gaston Geoffroy was identified as a member of the court of Charles III, Duke of Burgundy. During the following centuries, the Geoffroy name spread from Burgundy and became established in many French-speaking regions of Europe.

The surname Geoffroy today is said to be most popularly found in France and Quebec. In France, the name is most common in the regions of Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire, whilst in Quebec it is most prevalent in the cities of Montreal and Quebec.

The meaning of the surname Geoffroy is that of ruler of peace. This signifies a familial or ancestral history of dedication to protecting a peaceful, harmonious lifestyle, and therefore is one of greater narrative or symbolic value. It carries connotations of strength, leadership, and purpose, all of which can be quite meaningful to individuals connected to the Geoffroy surname.

Geoffroy: Where does the name Geoffroy come from?

The last name Geoffroy is common in France and in French-speaking parts of the world. In France, it is the 97th most popular surname, with more than 62,000 people sharing the name. Outside France, the name is especially common in Quebec, Canada, where it is the 89th most popular surname. It is also found in other parts of the French-speaking world, such as Switzerland, Belgium, Louisiana, and St. Pierre & Miquelon. Additionally, variants of the name can be found in other countries such as Spain, Italy, Portrugal, and Germany.

In the United States, the last name Geoffroy is comparatively much less common. With only about 1,800 people having the last name, it ranks roughly in the lower half of American surnames. Still, it can be found in all states, including Alaska and Hawaii, though most of the Geoffroy’s in the US are concentrated in North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida.

Given the name’s French roots, many people named Geoffroy in the United States likely have family members from Quebec, France, or French-speaking parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Geoffroy

The name Geoffroy is derived from an Old French name meaning, "God's Peace". This surname has many variants and is found in various forms throughout Europe. In France and other French-speaking countries it is often spelt ‘Geoffroy’ or ‘Jeffroy’ while other variants include Geffroy, Jefroy, Joffroy, Jeoffroy, and Jeffroi.

The surname is also seen in many English-speaking countries, where it is spelled Geoffroy, Geoffreys, Jeffreys, or Jeffrey. In Scotland, it is spelled Jeffrey or Geaffray.

In Germany, it's usually seen spelt as Geffroy or Jeffroy. In Italy, the surname is usually spelled Giovi or Giovanni, while in Spain, it is seen as Jeoffrey.

The surname is seen in other parts of Europe, with different spellings. In the Netherlands it's commonly seen spelt as Jeffroi, Jeffry, or Geffroy. In Russia and Ukraine, it's usually seen spelled Jeoffroy, Geoffroy, Jeffroy, Joffroy, or Geffroi.

In South America, most people with this surname are of French or Spanish descent and the surname is commonly seen spelt as Jefroy, Jeffroy, Joffroy, Geoffroy, or Jeoffroy. Finally, in the United States, the name is commonly seen spelled as Jeffrey, Jeffreys, orGeoffrey.

Famous people with the name Geoffroy

• Pascal Geoffroy, French football player
• Paul Geoffroy, French comedy actor
• Thierry Geoffroy, French artist and poet
• Yves Geoffroy, French former prime minister
• Andre Geoffroy, French painter
• Jean Geoffroy, French sculptor and painter
• Pierre Geoffroy, French architect
• Philippe Geoffroy, French pathologist
• Laurent Geoffroy, French politician
• Jérôme Geoffroy, French journalist
• Michel Geoffroy, French geologist and paleontologist
• Patrice Geoffroy, French football player
• Yann Geoffroy, French football player
• Christopher Geoffroy, French writer
• Yohann Geoffroy, French racing car driver
• Jean-Paul Geoffroy, French politician
• Stéphane Geoffroy, French composer and conductor
• Roger Geoffroy, French composer
• Charles-Théodore Geoffroy, French historian
• Marc Geoffroy, French writer, lawyer and politician

Other surnames

GeoffreyGeoffries