The surname Jefferson is of English origin. It is derived from the given name Jeffrey and signifies ‘the son of Jeffrey’. This is a Norman personal name that appears in Middle English as ‘Geffrey’ and in Old French as ‘Je(u)froi’. Some authorities regard this as no more than a palatalized form of Godfrey ( a Norman personal name composed of the Germanic elements ‘god, got’, god and ‘fred, frid’, peace ), but early forms such as ‘Galfridus’ and ‘Gaufridus’, point to the first element from the Germanic ‘gala’, to sing or ‘gawi’, region, territory. It is possible that several distinct names have fallen together in the same form. The name dates back to the thirteenth century were a Robert Geffreysone is recorded in historical archives. The name evolved through Geffreysone, Geffrason, and Jeffrason, until the modern form we know today was reached. It was borne by the American president Thomas Jefferson ( 1743-1826; president 1801-9 ), who was principally responsible for the text of the Declaration of Independance, and who was admired as a scientist, architect, and thinker as well as a statesman. The name was brought to America predominately by Eng…
Coat of arms: Azure on a saltire or between four…