Map of England showing where the Jeffries arms are recorded
The Jeffries 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 Jeffries Family in England
The surname Jeffries 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 evolved through Old French before becoming popular in England. By the time the Jeffries family was established in York in 1658, the spelling of surnames had begun to stabilize, though variations like Jeffreys or Jefferys were still common in legal documents. Families with this name were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes in northern English cities during the seventeenth century. Living in a historic center like York suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the city's vibrant trade networks or local administration. As the family grew, they helped shape the social and economic landscape of the region, leaving behind records that track their movement and influence through the generations.
Jeffries Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Geoffrey
Derived from Germanic elements meaning territory or peace and pledge.
This name
JeffriesA patronymic surname meaning son of Geoffrey, signifying a descendant of the peace-pledge bearer.
also spelled
Jeffreys
Jefferis
Jefferyes
Jeffry
Jeffryes
Related arms
Jefferyessame arms
Jeffreysame arms
Jefferisvariant spelling
Jeffreysvariant spelling
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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1658
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
