The name Jeffery is an English variant of the Old German name Geoffrey, which itself is derived from the Old French name Geoffroi. The name can be traced back to the medieval era, around the 12th century. It is composed of the Germanic elements "gau" meaning "territory" or "district," and "frid" meaning "peace." Thus, the name Jeffery can be interpreted to mean "peaceful territory" or "peaceful ruler."

In the Middle Ages, the name Geoffrey was relatively common among the Norman aristocracy in England and France. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, who lived from 1113 to 1151. He was the father of King Henry II of England and played a significant role in the Angevin dynasty.

The name Jeffery gained popularity in England during the medieval period and the Renaissance. One notable figure was Sir Jeffery Amherst, a British Army officer and colonial administrator who lived from 1717 to 1797. He is best known for his victories during the French and Indian War and for his controversial policy of distributing smallpox-infected blankets to Native Americans.

In literature, the name Jeffery appears in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century. The character Jeffery is portrayed as a prankish and mischievous young man.

During the Elizabethan era, Jeffery was a relatively common name among the English gentry. Jeffery Hudson, born in 1619, was a famous court dwarf who served as a courtier to Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I.

In the 18th century, Jeffery Amherst, Lord Amherst, was a prominent British diplomat and politician who served as Governor-General of British India from 1823 to 1828.

Another notable figure was Jeffery Wyatville, an English architect and garden designer who lived from 1766 to 1840. He is best known for his work on Windsor Castle and the renovation of several other royal residences during the reign of King George IV.