UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname "Geoffrey", rooted in an ancient Germanic personal name.
In the 1881 census there were 349 people recorded with the Jeffry surname, ranking it #8,778 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #8,778 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Brading, Edinburgh and Gwennap. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jeffry is 505 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 92.3%.
1881 census count
349
Ranked #8,778
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1851
505 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jeffry surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jeffry surname density by area, 1881 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 | 505 | #4,949 |
| 1861 | historical | 446 | #5,796 |
| 1881 | historical | 349 | #8,778 |
| 1891 | historical | 410 | #8,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 345 | #10,541 |
| 1911 | historical | 122 | #20,245 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 16 | #36,361 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Brading, Edinburgh, Gwennap, Paul and Camborne. 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 | Brading | Hampshire |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Gwennap | Cornwall |
| 4 | Paul | Cornwall |
| 5 | Camborne | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jeffry 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 Jeffry, 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 Jeffry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jeffry 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, Jeffry 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 Jeffry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jeffry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname JEFFRY has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English given name "Geoffroy," which itself stems from the Germanic name "Geoffroi," meaning "traveler" or "wanderer."
The earliest recorded instances of the surname JEFFRY can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards, such as the Pipe Rolls and the Hundred Rolls. One notable mention is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Geoffry is listed as holding lands in Gloucestershire.
During the Middle Ages, the surname JEFFRY was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire, where it was often associated with landed gentry and minor nobility. The name also appeared in various spellings, including Jeffery, Jeffryes, and Jeffries, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Sir John Jeffry (c. 1290-1355), a prominent knight and landowner from Gloucestershire. He served as a member of parliament and played a significant role in the military campaigns of Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.
Another notable figure was William Jeffry (c. 1440-1504), a wealthy merchant and alderman from Bristol, who served as the city's mayor in 1486 and 1496. His legacy can be traced through various records and documents from the period, including his will and charitable bequests.
In the 16th century, the JEFFRY surname gained further prominence with Sir John Jeffry (c. 1510-1578), a distinguished lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
During the English Civil War, Colonel John Jeffry (c. 1615-1676) was a prominent Parliamentarian officer who fought alongside Oliver Cromwell. He was later appointed as the Governor of Stafford and played a significant role in the administration of the Commonwealth.
Another noteworthy bearer of the JEFFRY surname was Edward Jeffry (1665-1728), a renowned English architect and garden designer. He was responsible for the design of several grand country estates, including Wanstead House in Essex and Westcombe Park in Kent.
The JEFFRY surname has continued to be present throughout British history, with various individuals making their mark in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. While its prevalence may have fluctuated over time, the name remains a testament to its rich heritage and deep-rooted connections to the English countryside.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jeffry 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. Cornwall leads with 112 Jeffrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.23x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 112 | 29.23x |
| Lanarkshire | 25 | 2.28x |
| Lancashire | 22 | 0.55x |
| Surrey | 19 | 1.15x |
| Northumberland | 16 | 3.18x |
| Devon | 15 | 2.13x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 0.44x |
| Sussex | 14 | 2.45x |
| Durham | 11 | 1.09x |
| Gloucestershire | 11 | 1.66x |
| Berkshire | 9 | 3.54x |
| Hampshire | 9 | 1.30x |
| Kent | 9 | 0.78x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.21x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 1.13x |
| Northamptonshire | 6 | 1.88x |
| Buckinghamshire | 5 | 2.44x |
| Roxburghshire | 5 | 8.16x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 0.77x |
| Suffolk | 3 | 0.73x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 0.69x |
| Essex | 2 | 0.30x |
| Fife | 2 | 1.00x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 0.53x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 0.44x |
| Somerset | 2 | 0.37x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.18x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 0.67x |
| Dorset | 1 | 0.45x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 1.34x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 1.10x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.18x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 1.08x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 2.48x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.12x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 1.96x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. New Monkland in Lanarkshire leads with 14 Jeffrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.26x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jeffry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 31 |
| Elizabeth | 13 |
| Ann | 10 |
| Jane | 6 |
| Emma | 5 |
| Louisa | 5 |
| Annie | 4 |
| Ellen | 4 |
| Susan | 4 |
| Agnes | 3 |
| Margaret | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Barbara | 2 |
| Bessie | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Hannah | 2 |
| Harriett | 2 |
| Jessie | 2 |
| Laura | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Maude | 2 |
| Rebecca | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 |
| Selina | 2 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Charity | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Cordelia | 1 |
| Deborah | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Eunice | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Isabel | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Janie | 1 |
| John | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lidy | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Mabel | 1 |
| Maggie | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Thirza | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jeffry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 26 |
| John | 24 |
| James | 17 |
| Thomas | 11 |
| George | 7 |
| Richard | 6 |
| Joseph | 5 |
| Charles | 4 |
| Henry | 4 |
| Robert | 4 |
| Albert | 3 |
| Benjamin | 3 |
| Edwin | 3 |
| Alexander | 2 |
| Alfred | 2 |
| Frederick | 2 |
| Joshua | 2 |
| Samuel | 2 |
| Thompson | 2 |
| A. | 1 |
| Andrew | 1 |
| Anthony | 1 |
| Arthur | 1 |
| Austell | 1 |
| Clive | 1 |
| David | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Fredrick | 1 |
| Geo. | 1 |
| Geo.E. | 1 |
| Harry | 1 |
| Herbert | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| Mark | 1 |
| Martin | 1 |
| Mathew | 1 |
| Nicholas | 1 |
| Nicklos | 1 |
| Peter | 1 |
| Phillip | 1 |
| Rd. | 1 |
| Richd. | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
| Walter | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
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 Jeffry households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 43 |
| Ag Lab | 7 |
| Dressmaker | 5 |
| Labourer | 5 |
| Farm Labourer | 4 |
| ((Daughter)) | 3 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Domestic Servant | 3 |
| Engineers Son | 3 |
| Farmers Son | 3 |
| Tin Miner | 3 |
| Baker | 2 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Engineers Daur | 2 |
| Farmers Daur | 2 |
| Fisherman | 2 |
| General Serv Domestic | 2 |
| Ironworker | 2 |
| Pauper | 2 |
| Portrait & Historical Printer | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Ag Labs Wife | 1 |
| Bank Clerk | 1 |
| Bed Lier | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Brick Yard Labourer | 1 |
| Brickfield Laborer | 1 |
| Carmans Lab | 1 |
| Chimney Sweep | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coal Putter | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Copper Miner | 1 |
| Corset Maker | 1 |
| Dairymaid (Ag) | 1 |
| Domestic (SV.) | 1 |
| Drstyman In a Brewery | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Engineers Wife | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Factory Labourer (Hand) | 1 |
| Farm Bailiff | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (In Door) | 1 |
| Farmer (Of 50 Acres) | 1 |
| Farmer of 130 Acres Employing 2 Men & 1 Boy | 1 |
| Tin Smith | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 349 people were recorded with the Jeffry surname. That placed it at #8,778 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Jeffry a modern rank of #36,189.
A variant spelling of the English surname "Geoffrey", rooted in an ancient Germanic personal name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jeffry 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.