Surname Jefferson - Meaning and Origin

A Personal Voyage Into The Past: Uncovering The Jefferson Lineage Through The iGENEA DNA Test

My experience with the DNA test at iGENEA has been a journey into the depths of my past. The technical aspects and high accuracy provided by the test allowed me a deeper exploration of my surname, Jefferson, unraveling unforeseen origins and paths traveled by my ancestors.

U. Jefferson

Jefferson: What does the surname Jefferson mean?

The last name Jefferson is an English surname derived from an old French name "Jeffroi". It is thought to be a variation of the name Geoffrey, which itself is derived from two Ancient Germanic words “geb” meaning “gift” and “frid” meaning “peace”. Historically, the name Jefferson was primarily seen in North West England and parts of Scotland. Additionally, it was used to refer to the son of someone who hailed from the village of Geoffrey.

In terms of what the name Jefferson connotes, it stands for individuals of honor, intelligence, and courage. This is reflected in the legacy of the most famous bearer of this surname, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman who served as the third President of the United States. He was a political philosopher and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. His accomplishments earned him the title of “Father of the Constitution”. Additionally, he held a notable political career and presided over the Louisiana Purchase. Therefore, Jefferson is a symbol of bravery and ingenuity, not only in the United States but worldwide.

The last name Jefferson stands for those of strong character and determination. It empowers its holders to strive for justice and fairness in all matters. Moreover, it provides individuals with a sense of pride, commitment, and responsibility. Therefore, it is a name to be admired and respected.

Jefferson: Where does the name Jefferson come from?

The last name Jefferson is common in many countries today. In the United States, Jefferson is one of the most popular surnames; according to the Social Security Administration, it is the forty-seventh most common name in the country. It is also popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Australia.

In the United States, Jefferson is most commonly found in the South and the Midwest. There are large concentrations of people with the last name in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama. These states boast some of the highest numbers of Jeffersons in the nation, particularly in their rural areas. It’s also popular in the West and Northeast, especially in the states of California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

It’s also worth noting that the last name Jefferson often appears with ethnic variations. In Louisiana, for instance, it’s been seen as “Jefferon” or “Jefforson,” which harkens back to the region’s French colonial origins. In the American Southwest, it can likewise appear as “Xheferson” due to its prevalence among Spanish-speaking families.

No matter where one looks, the last name Jefferson has left its mark and can still be heard in many parts of the world today.

Variations of the surname Jefferson

The surname Jefferson is a patronymic derived from the Middle English given name Jeffray or Geoffrey. The variants and alternate spellings of Jefferson include Jeffers, Jepson, Jepperson, Jeffs, Jefson, and Jeffreyson.

The surname Jeffers is an anglicised form of a French and German name with variant spellings Jeffries, Jeffery, Jeffreys, and Jephson. It is also an alternate form of the Irish and Scottish name Mac Shaffer.

The surname Jepson is an alternate form of the English names Jackson and Jepson. It is also an anglicised form of the Scandinavian names Jepsen, Jepson, and Jeppsen.

The surname Jepperson is a variant spelling of the English given name Gerhard, a Germanic name derived from the Old High German "ger," which means spear, and "hard," which means brave.

The surname Jeffs is an alternate form of the Middle English given name Jeffery. Jeffs is also a variant form of the Irish surname Mac Taffe.

The surname Jefson is a variant of the Old Norse given name Jofrith, meaning peace-bringer. It is also an alternate spelling of the Scottish surname Jeffrey and Jefferies.

The surname Jeffreyson is a patronymic derived from the Middle English given name Jeffray or Geoffrey. It is also an alternate form of the English surname Jeffers and Jepson.

Famous people with the name Jefferson

• Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third President of the United States, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most influential Founding Fathers of America. He was an ardent advocate of democracy and held strong views on the then controversial issue of slavery.
• Joseph Jefferson: Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905) was an actor who popularized the stage role of Rip Van Winkle. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance in the 1933 comedy film Dinner at Eight.
• Donté Jefferson: Donté Jefferson (born 1987) is an American professional basketball player. He was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and has also featured for a number of teams including the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
• Dick Jefferson: Dick Jefferson (1939-2009) was an American olympic pole vaulter who won a bronze medal at the 1964 Tokyo Games. He went on to represent the US in the 1968 Olympics as well as the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
• Elvin Jefferson: Elvin Jefferson (1943-2008) was an American professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns. He was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
• Kimani Jefferson: Kimani Jefferson (born 1997) is an American football wide receiver who plays for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
• Roscoe Jefferson: Roscoe Jefferson (born 1959) is an American jazz musician, composer and producer. He has performed with a number of popular jazz musicians, including Herbie Mann, Wynton Marsalis and Cab Calloway.

Other surnames

Jeffers