UK surname
An anglicized variant of the Welsh surname Jeffreys, meaning "son of Geoffrey".
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Jeffres surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Eyke, Swell, Lower and Willesden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jeffres is 109 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.3%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
109 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jeffres surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jeffres surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 31 | #31,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 21 | #31,686 |
| 1911 | historical | 20 | #31,288 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Eyke, Swell, Lower, Willesden, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eyke | Suffolk |
| 2 | Swell, Lower | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | Willesden | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jeffres surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Jeffres, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Jeffres surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jeffres household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Jeffres is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jeffres is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jeffres, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname JEFFRES is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name that referred to someone who lived near a small mound or hill. The name is closely related to the Old English word "hyll" or "hyll-cumb," meaning a small hill or valley.
The earliest recorded mention of the name JEFFRES can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, there are records of a Richard de Jeffres, who was a landowner in Gloucestershire, England. Another notable bearer of the name was John Jeffres, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 14th century.
During the 16th century, the name JEFFRES appeared in various spelling variations, such as Jeffreys, Jeffries, and Jeffers, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and pronunciation at the time. One notable figure from this period was George Jeffreys (1645-1689), an English judge infamous for his brutal treatment of the rebels during the Monmouth Rebellion.
In the 17th century, the name JEFFRES was also found in Scotland, where it was likely introduced by English settlers. One prominent Scotsman with this surname was George Jeffreys (1609-1685), a Church of Scotland minister and theologian.
As the name spread across England and Scotland, it became associated with various occupations and social classes, from landowners and merchants to clergymen and professionals. Other notable bearers of the name JEFFRES include John Jeffreys (1705-1787), an English physician and naturalist, and George Jeffreys (1789-1855), an English architect known for his work on public buildings and churches.
While the surname JEFFRES has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has left a distinct mark on various aspects of British society, from land ownership and commerce to academia and public service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jeffres surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 11 Jeffres' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.57x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 11 | 2.57x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.66x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 6.59x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.40x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 2.83x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 12.55x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.59x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.81x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 3.83x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 3.21x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.57x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 3.13x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 6 Jeffres' recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 6 | 19.79x |
| Eccleston In Prescot | 6 | 279.07x |
| Poplar London | 6 | 88.11x |
| Thornaby | 5 | 373.13x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 34.48x |
| Clifton | 2 | 55.87x |
| Bedwellty | 1 | 21.74x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 9.31x |
| Dover St James | 1 | 185.19x |
| Langholm | 1 | 175.44x |
| Llanrhidian Higher | 1 | 250.00x |
| Swindon | 1 | 40.49x |
| W Felton | 1 | 769.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jeffres surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jeffres surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jeffres households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Serv General | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Genl Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Glass Bottle Blower | 1 |
| Glass Cutter | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer Wife | 1 |
| Nurse Girl Domestic | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Jeffres surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Jeffres a modern rank of #39,061.
An anglicized variant of the Welsh surname Jeffreys, meaning "son of Geoffrey".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jeffres bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.