Map of England showing where the Jefferies arms are recorded
The Jefferies arms were recorded in Boston, c. 1658.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Jefferies Family in England
The surname Jefferies is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Geoffrey. The name Geoffrey itself comes from ancient Germanic roots that translate to mean peaceful pledge or territory. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1658 confirm that members of the Jefferies family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern English hub. During this period, families often settled in specific regions for generations, and the presence of the Jefferies name in York suggests they were well-integrated into the local community. As the name spread across England, it evolved through various spellings, yet it remained a common way to honor ancestral lineage through the name of a father or grandfather.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Geoffrey
Derived from Germanic elements meaning territory or peace and pledge.
This name
JefferiesA patronymic surname meaning son of Geoffrey, signifying a descendant of the peaceful ruler.
also spelled
Jeffreys
Jefferis
Jefferyes
Jeffry
Jeffryes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1658
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
