Skip Ancestry main menu Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Learn
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Help
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • Start a New Tree
      • Person Preview
      • Membership
      • Family Trees Support
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Directories & Member Lists
      • Public Member Trees
      • Member Search
      • Card Catalog
      Loading
      • AncestryPreserve
      • StoryScout
      • Stories of US
      Loading
      • Buy a DNA Kit
      • Register a Kit
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA Support
      Loading
      • Ancestry Daily
      • Ancestry Blog
      • Virtual Events
      • What's New
      • Name Meaning
      • Family History Learning Hub
      • DNA Learning Hub
      • DNA Traits Learning Hub
      • Historical Insights
      Loading
      • Support Center
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Center
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Center
      • About Us
      • Ancestry Blog
      • Gift Memberships
      • Site Map
      • Swag Shop
      • Careers
      • © 1997-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Corporate Information
      • Patent
      • Accessibility
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Jefferson

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Son of Jeffrey

      Variations

      Henderson, Emmerson, Peterson
      The name Jefferson traces its origins to England and is derived from the English name Jeffrey, meaning son of Jeffrey. The name Jeffrey itself is of Germanic origin, combining the elements geoff which means peace and raf meaning power or rule. As such, Jefferson can be understood to signify a son who embodies the qualities of peace and power.

      Throughout history, the name Jefferson has been associated with several notable figures. The most well-known individual bearing this name is Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson played a crucial role in shaping American democracy and drafting the Declaration of Independence. His legacy has firmly cemented the name Jefferson in the annals of American history.

      In modern times, the name Jefferson continues to be used, albeit with less frequency. It often serves as a name, as it did for Thomas Jefferson. However, as a first name, it lends an air of sophistication and historical significance. While not as common as other given names, Jefferson remains a favored choice for parents seeking a name that evokes images of power, intelligence, and a connection to American heritage.

      Based on our records...

      Davis

      This is the most common surname associated with Jefferson.

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Jefferson.

      Jefferson

      This is the most common name for a child of a Jefferson.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1861 is when there were the most people born with the first name Jefferson.

      Explore the origins of another name.