Surname Jeffers - Meaning and Origin
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Jeffers: What does the surname Jeffers mean?
The surname Jeffers is of English origin and is a patronymic, derived from the personal name Jeffrey. Jeffrey is of Norman French origin, which is derived from the Old German personal name Godafrid meaning "peace of God". Jeffers, therefore, means "son of Jeffrey". It was common in medieval England to create surnames by adding -s or -son to first names. The name Jeffers is prevalent in the northwestern region of England and would have been initially given to the son of a man named Jeffrey in this area. It should be noted that over history and migration, the exact meaning can also change, incorporate local influences, or may take on additional meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisJeffers: Where does the name Jeffers come from?
The surname Jeffers is of English origin, deriving from the personal name Jeffrey. It is a patronymic name which means "son of Jeffrey". The name Jeffrey itself is of Germanic origin and is composed of several elements; "gauji"-peace and "fridu"-protection. The surname made its way to England following the Norman conquest in the 11th century.
Today, the name is most common in the United States and England. In the US, it is most prevalent in Missouri, although it is spread throughout the country. In England, it is most concentrated in Durham and Northumberland. There are also significant populations of people with the Jeffers surname in Canada, Australia, and to a lesser extent, Ireland. It's worth mentioning that, in many cases, the name has been anglicised or altered due to historical events and immigration patterns. There are also a number of notable individuals, both in history and modern times, with the last name Jeffers which adds to the name's global recognition.
Variations of the surname Jeffers
The surname Jeffers is of English origin, specifically deriving from the personal name Geffrey. This name then transitions into various forms and spellings such as Jeffery, Jeffrey, Jefferies, Jeffries, and Jeffers. The addition of "s" at the end characterizes "son of" which is a common feature in many English surnames. This surname is particularly prevalent in Northern Ireland and Scotland due to migration during the 17th Century. Several variations of this surname exist due to phonetic spellings throughout time and across different regions, these could include Jefferis, Jephers, Jefers, Jaffers or Geffers. Other forms might also include an additional "n" like in Jefferns or Jeffrens, and surnames formed by double "f" and single "r" or single "f" and double "r" like Jeffres, Jefress, Jeferes or Jeferrs. Given that surnames are often recorded as they are heard and can be influenced by regional accents and dialects, the surname can have further uncommon versions. Variations of the name within different countries based on language can also exist, for example Geoffroi in French or Gjoffredo in Italian, though these are not direct variants of Jeffers, they share the same root name.
Famous people with the name Jeffers
- Bobby Jeffers: Bobby Jeffers is an American professional surfer. He is most notable for his victories in the 2018 and 2019 World Surf League championship Tour.
- Michael Jeffers: Michael Jeffers is an American professional basketball player. He has played for several NBA teams, including the Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat.
- Jenson Jeffers: Jenson Jeffers is an American songwriter and record producer, having written songs for a number of high-profile artists, including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Drake.
- Robert Jeffers: Robert Jeffers is an American actor and meteorologist, known for appearing on Weather Channel programs such as Weekend View and Weekend Now.
- Shelby Jeffers: Shelby Jeffers is an American singer and songwriter, who has released a number of singles and albums in the pop and country genres.
- Andrew Jeffers: Andrew Jeffers is an American ultra-distance runner. He is most notable for his 2018 victory at the Badwater 135 race.
- Shannon Jeffers: Shannon Jeffers is an American actor, most notably starring in television shows such as Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries.
- John Jeffers: John Jeffers is an American radio and television host and actor. He has hosted a number of programs, such as America Now and The John Jeffers Show.
- Steven Jeffers: Steven Jeffers is an American professional soccer player. He currently plays for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.
- Scott Jeffers: Scott Jeffers is an American comedian and entertainer. He has appeared on a number of television shows, including Last Comic Standing and Comcast On Demand.