Jefferson

Jefferson is a surname and given name derived from the given name Geoffrey, meaning “son of Geoffrey.” It is used in many English-speaking countries and appears in the names of people, places, and institutions.

The most famous bearer is Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), a Founding Father of the United States who drafted the Declaration of Independence and served as the third president from 1801 to 1809. He promoted religious freedom, oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and helped found the University of Virginia. His political philosophy, often described as Jeffersonian democracy, emphasized agrarianism, limited federal power, and civic virtue.

Geographic uses include Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri; Jefferson County, a name shared by several counties across the United States; and numerous towns and townships named Jefferson. Jefferson Parish is a large district near New Orleans in Louisiana, and Jeffersonville is a city name found in multiple states.

In institutions and culture, Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia became part of Thomas Jefferson University. The Jefferson nickel, currently in circulation, features Thomas Jefferson on its obverse. The Jefferson Bible is Jefferson’s 19th-century compilation of biblical texts. The name also appears in music, with the bands Jefferson Airplane and later Jefferson Starship, both influential in the 1960s and 1970s.