Jeffs Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Jeffs Origin:

England, Germany

Origins of Jeffs:

Listed as Geff, Jeff, and the limited little forms as Jeffel and Jeffkin, and the equally limited patronymics such as Geffes, Jeffes, Jeffs, Jeffels, Jefferson and more, this is an old English surname. It is however of Norman French source and brought into England after the famous invasion of 1066. It acquires from the pre 7th century Old French Geoffroi or Geuffroi, from the Germanic name Gaufrid”, which means “land-peace.” Geoffrey was a famously given name in England and as Geffe (without surname) shows in the Assize Court colls of Cheshire in 1215, while Ralph Jeffe was noted in the Hundred Rolls of landholders of Devonshire in 1273. Other documentations show the advancement of the surname over the centuries like William Jeffs who married Sara Warren in April 1620 at St Giles Cripplegate in the City of London, while two centuries later in the probate records of 1750 to 1850, Richard Jeffels was shown disappearing at Whitby in Yorkshire, an area where this spelling appears to be or have been spread widely, in March 1845.

Variations:

More common variations are: Jeffes, Jeffus, Jeffas, Jeffis, Joeffs, Jeffys, Jeffos, Jefs, Jeffies, Jeffeys.

England:

The origins of the surname Jeffs appeared in Herefordshire where people held a family seat from old times. Someone say better before the invasion of Normans and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings 1066 A.D.

The very first recorded spelling of the family name was shown to be that of Richard Geffes, dated about 1332, in the “Premium Tax Rolls of Warwickshire.” It was during the time of King Edward III who was known to be the “The Father of the English Navy,” dated 1327-1377. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Jeffs had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Jeffs landed in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th, and 18th. Some of the people with the name Jeffs who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Francis Jeffs, who landed in Virginia in 1662.

The following century saw more Jeffs surnames come. Some of the people with the name Jeffs who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Mary Jeffs, who came to Virginia in 1717. Mary Jeffs who settled in Virginia in 1726.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Jeffs who landed in Australia in the 19th century included William Jeffs arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Spartan” in 1849. James Jeffs arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship “Agincourt.”

New-Zealand:

Some of the population with the surname Jeffs who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included George Jeffs landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840. George Jeffs and Ann Jeffs, both arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship “Gertrude” in the same year 1841. Louisa Jeffs arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship “Gertrude” in 1841.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Jeffs: England 3,081; United States 1,658; Australia 1,497; Canada 526; Honduras 444; New Zealand 398; Wales 248; Chile 162; France 110; Scotland 92.

Notable People:

A.S. Jeffs (1871–1905), was an American football referee.

Brent W. Jeffs was an American writer, lawyer, and representative of the Fundamentalist parish of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Charles Jeffs (born 1895), was a British World War I flying expert.

Christine Jeffs (born 1963), is a New Zealand producer, director, and composer.

A. Dean Jeffs (born 1928), is an American leader.

Ian Jeffs (born 1982), is an English football player.

Lance Jeffs was an Australian pharmacologist.

Lyle Jeffs was an American priest in the Fundamentalist parish of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Erm. on a canton gu. a saltire or. Crest—A pelican’s head erased, vulning itself ppr.