Origin of the Jefferson Surname
The Jefferson surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #615 with 55,179 Americans (18.71 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Jefferson traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Jefferson |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #615 |
| US Count (2010) | 55,179 |
| Per 100K People | 18.71 |
| First Letter | J |
Ethnic Distribution of Jefferson
Among 55,179 Americans named Jefferson, the largest self-reported group is Black (74.24%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Jefferson Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Jefferson moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Jefferson family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Jefferson Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Jefferson Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Jefferson
- ✓ The Jefferson coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Jefferson families live today
- ✓ Notable Jefferson bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Jefferson fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Jefferson
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Jefferson.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Jefferson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson
Top Surnames Starting with J
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter J, ranked by population.
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