Show ContentsJeffries History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Jeffries surname is a patronymic name that comes from the personal names Geoffrey and Godfrey. These names appear in Old English as Geffrey and in Old French as Jefroi or Jeufroi.

Goisfridus, Gaufridus and Gosfridus are all listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. [1] At this time people tended to only use a surname; forenames came years later. Galfridus was listed in Lincolnshire c. 1150 and Simon filius Gosfrei was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk in 1210. Walter Geffrei was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk in 1203 and Gefray was listed in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1243. [2]

Geoffrey (d. 1093), was "Bishop of Coutances, [who] came of a noble Norman family settled at Montbrai, or, as pronounced in English, Mowbray, in the arrondissement of St. Lô; he was brother of Roger of Mowbray, and his sister Amicia married Roger of Albini. He was consecrated bishop of Coutances at Rouen on 10 April 1048, and is described as tall, handsome, and prudent." [3]

Geoffrey of Gorham (d. 1146), was Abbot of St. Albans, and "was descended from ancestors of noble rank both in Normandy and in Maine, of which county he was a native. " [3]

Geoffrey of Monmouth (1100?-1154), "otherwise Galfridus or Gaufridus Arturus, Galfridus Monemutensis, styled by Welsh writers Galffrai or Gruffyd ab Arthur, bishop of St. Asaph and chronicler, was either born or bred at Monmouth about the commencement of the twelfth century, and may have been at one time a monk of the Benedictine abbey there. He was the son of Arthur, who, according to Welsh authorities, was family priest of William, Earl of Gloucester, an apocryphal personage." [3]

Early Origins of the Jeffries family

The surname Jeffries was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where early forms of the name were found: Goisfridus, Gaufridus, Gosfridus. Later in Lincolnshire, Galfridus was found c. 1150. It wasn't until 1210, for the name to emerge with a forename: Simian filius Gosfrie in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk. Agnes Geffreys was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1283 and a few years later, Robert Geoffray was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1293. [2]

Early History of the Jeffries family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jeffries research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1327, 1332, 1333, 1340, 1379, 1450, 1499, 1566, 1578, 1610, 1613, 1643, 1645, 1647, 1674, 1685, 1689, 1703, 1720, 1723, 1768, 1772, 1776, 1777 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Jeffries History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jeffries Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Jeffries have included Jeffreys, Jeffereys, Jefferies, Jeffers, Jefferis, Jefferyes, Jefferys, Jeffries, Jeffry, Jeffs, Jefries and many more.

Early Notables of the Jeffries family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem (1645-1689), Welsh jurist & politician, known as "The Hanging Judge," Lord Chancellor of Britain; George Jeffreys (ca.1610-1685), an English composer and organist to King Charles I at Oxford in 1643; and Sir Robert Geffrye (1613-1703), a Cornish merchant, Sheriff of London in 1674 and Lord Mayor of London in 1685. He was the "son of Robert Geffrey of...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jeffries Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jeffries Ranking

In the United States, the name Jeffries is the 1,307th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Jeffries family to Ireland

Some of the Jeffries family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Jeffries migration to the United States +

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Jeffries:

Jeffries Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Nathaniel Jeffries, who landed in Virginia in 1624 - 1625 aboard the ship "Gift" [5]
  • Mr. Andrew Jeffires, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo [5]
  • Tho Jeffries, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 [6]
  • Mary Jeffries, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 [6]
  • Edward Jeffries, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1681 [6]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jeffries Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Charles Jeffries, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1737 [6]
Jeffries Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Jeffries, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1831 [6]
  • John Jeffries, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1836 [6]
  • William Jeffries, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1838 [6]
  • Peter H Jeffries, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1847 [6]
  • Miss Maria Jeffries, aged 43, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Canada Jeffries migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jeffries Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Jeffryes/Jeffries, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Isobella Jeffryes/Jeffries, aged 19, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Mary Jeffryes/Jeffries, aged 1, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Joseph Jeffryes/Jeffries, aged 20, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Mr. Cornelius Jeffries who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Free Trader" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle In 1847 [7]

Australia Jeffries migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Jeffries Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Jeffries, English convict from Berkshire, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia [8]
  • Mr. James Jeffries, British convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 29th September 1831, settling in New South Wales, Australia [9]
  • Mr. William Jeffries, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 2nd February 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [10]
  • John Henry Jeffries, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "City Of Adelaide" in 1839 [11]
  • Susannah Jeffries, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "City Of Adelaide" in 1839 [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Jeffries migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Jeffries Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Jeffries, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Jeffries, aged 17, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
  • William Jeffries, aged 24, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • Harriet Jeffries, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • William James Jeffries, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jeffries (post 1700) +

  • Irvine Franklin Jeffries (1905-1982), American infielder in Major League Baseball
  • Adam Lamar Jeffries (b. 1974), American actor
  • Rich Jeffries (b. 1949), former American television announcer
  • Fran Jeffries (b. 1937), American singer, actress, and model
  • Michael Jeffries (b. 1962), retired American soccer player and current soccer coach
  • Lang Jeffries (1930-1987), Canadian-American actor of television and film
  • Jared Scott Carter Jeffries (b. 1981), American professional basketball player
  • Herbert "Herb" Jeffries (b. 1913), American jazz and popular singer and actor
  • James Jeffries, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 1888–1892
  • Edward J. Jeffries Jr. (1900-1950), American politician, councilman, and mayor of Detroit
  • ... (Another 41 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Joseph Frederick Jeffries, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking [12]
  • Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jeffries (1849-1914), née Unwin Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [12]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Jeffries, British Ordnance Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [13]
North Sea Flood
  • Jeffries, British worker aboard the trawler "Sheldon" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Keith Jeffries, American Coxswain from Pennsylvania, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [14]


Suggested Readings for the name Jeffries +

  • Marmaduke Norfleet Jeffreys by Louise Jeffreys Andrew.

  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  6. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  7. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 35)
  8. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1831
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  11. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CITY OF ADELAIDE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839CityOfAdelaide.htm
  12. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  13. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  14. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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