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![Show Contents]() Jefferssan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
This Jefferssan surname comes from the Norman personal names Geoffrey and Godfrey. These names appear in Middle English as Geffrey and in Old French as Jefroi or Jeufroi. Galfridus and Gaufridus are early forms of the name; these indicate a Germanic first element derived from either "gala," which means "to sing," or "gawi," which means "region" or "territory." 1 The surname Jefferssan also features the patronymic suffix "-son," which superseded all other such suffixes in popularity by the 14th century and was most common in the north of Britain. This suffix was sometimes abbreviated to "-s." Early Origins of the Jefferssan familyThe surname Jefferssan was first found in Staffordshire where Robert Geffreysone was recorded in the Assize Rolls for 1344. Years later, the family emerged in Yorkshire where Alice Geffrason was listed in 1488 and later John Jeffrason was listed as a Freeman of York in 1528. 2 The Jeffersons of Virginia which included US President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) probably hailed from England. Early History of the Jefferssan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jefferssan research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1344, 1488, 1528, 1609, 1640, 1641, 1648, 1658, 1691, 1720, 1743, 1797 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Jefferssan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Jefferssan Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Jefferssan has been recorded under many different variations, including Jeffers, Jefferson, Jeffson, Jephson and others. Early Notables of the Jefferssan familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was William Jephson (1609-1658), a Member of Parliament for Stockbridge (1640-1648), served in the Parliamentary army and was Cromwell's envoy to Sweden. He was "the eldest son of Sir John Jephson of Froyle, Hampshire, and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter and coheiress of Sir Thomas Norreys of Mallow, co. Cork. He was one of the representatives of Stockbridge, Hampshire, in the Long parliament, and...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jefferssan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Jefferssan family to Ireland
Some of the Jefferssan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Jefferssan familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Jefferssans were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Jefferson, who came to Virginia in 1620; Mary Jefferson, who settled in Virginia in 1653; Edmund Jefferson, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682; Robert Jefferson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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England
Ireland
