Geoffrey

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Geoffrey

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Geoffrey is a combination of three names: Gaufrid, Walahfried, and Gisfrid, meaning “Territory Peace,” “Stranger Peace,” and “Pledge Peace,” based on “gawia” (territory), “walah” (stranger), “gisel” (pledge), and “fried” (peace). It was also influenced by the name Godfrey (God’s Peace).

History:
Geoffrey was introduced to England by the Normans. It found in the royal and noble families of France and England, and was highly popular in both those countries throughout the medieval period (though it never caught on in Scotland). It declined after the 15th century, however, but was revived in the 20th century.

Jeffrey was a Middle English vernacular (common) alternate spelling of Geoffrey. In the United States, at least, Jeffrey has far surpassed Geoffrey in popularity.

The surname Jefferson was often given as a first name in the 19th century in honor of Thomas Jefferson (3rd U.S. president) or Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy).

Pronunciation: jeff-ree.

Diminutives:
English: Geoff.

Alternates: Jeffrey (SEE BELOW), Geffery, Geffrey, Geoffraie, Geoffery.
French: Geoffroi, Geoffroy.
Hawaiian: Keopele.
Irish Gaelic: Siothrún.
Italian: Goffredo.
Latin: Goisfridus, Gaufridus, Geofridus, Golfridis, Joffridus.
Portuguese: Godofredo.
Welsh: Sieffre.

Surnames:
Basque: Jefferson, Jepson.

See also Jeff, Jeffrey (Jefferson), Jeffery.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400)
English poet.
Geoffrey Dearmer (1893-1996)
British poet.
Geoffrey Household (1900-1988)
British novelist.
Sir Geoffrey Alan Jellicoe (1900-1996)
British architect.
Geoffrey Grigson (1905-1985)
English poet.
Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998)
British novelist.
Geoffrey Piers Henry Dutton (1922-1998)
Australian writer.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Geoffrey of Monmouth (?-1155)
English chronicler.
Geoffrey H. Hartman (1929-)
German-American literary critic.
Geoffrey Blainey (1930-)
Australian historian.

Miscellaneous:
Geoffrey Villehardouin (1150-1213)
A leader of the fourth crusade.
Geoffroy Tory (1480-1533)
French publisher.

Political Figures:
Geoffrey Palmer (1942-)
Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Royalty:
Geoffrey II (1006-1060)
Count of Anjou.
Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex (?-1144)
Cruel baron of England.
Geoffrey IV (1113-1151)
Count of Anjou. Married Queen Matilda of England.
Geoffrey IV (1158-1186)
Duke of Brittany, Earl of Richmond.

Scientists:
Sir Geoffrey De Havilland (1882-1965)
English aircraft engineer.
Geoffrey Bourne (1909-1988)
Australian-American anatomist.
Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson (1921-1996)
British chemist. Co-winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Singers and Entertainers:
Geoffrey Kendal (1909-1998)
British actor.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.591 % named Jeffrey
0.166 % named Jeffery
0.166 % named Jeff
0.032 % named Geoffrey
0.012 % named Jeffry
0.010 % named Jefferson
0.005 % named Jefferey

Popularity of Geoffrey:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 372nd most popular.
1950-1960: 279th most popular.
1960-1970: 282nd most popular.
1970-1980: 212th most popular.
1980-1990: 210th most popular.
1990: 257th most popular.
1991: 287th most popular.
1992: 321st most popular.
1993: 367th most popular.
1994: 393rd most popular.
1995: 435th most popular.
1996: 508th most popular.
1997: 537th most popular.
1998: 553rd most popular.
1999: 630th most popular.
2000: 651st most popular.
2001: 680th most popular.
2002: 735th most popular.
2003: 763rd most popular.

In France...
1900-1970: N/A
1976: 155th most popular.
1980: 123rd most popular.
1990: 40th most popular.
1999: 136th most popular.
2000: N/A

Popularity of Geoffroy:
Popularity (for newborns):
In France...
1900-1970: N/A
1975: 165th most popular.
1980: 140th most popular.
1990: 197th most popular.
1991: 198th most popular.
2000: N/A