Last Name Gioffre

The surname Gioffre is of Italian origin. It derives from the medieval given name Geoffroi, which was brought to Italy by the Normans during their conquest in the 11th century. In Old French, Geoffroi means "pledge, oath" and was composed of the elements geof (pledge) and fridu (peace). The surname Gioffre is a variation of Giuffré or Jufré, which were common among Normans and their descendants in Italy.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gioffre

The meaning and origin of the last name Gioffre

The surname Gioffre is an Italian patronymic derived from the given name Geoffroi, which has French origins. It emerged during the Middle Ages, when the Normans invaded Italy and brought their language and customs with them. The name Geoffroi, which means "pledge" or "oath" in Old French, was popular among the Norman nobility and was later Italianized to Gioffre. Over time, various spelling variations of the surname emerged due to changes in pronunciation and translation, such as Giuffrida, Joffre, and Jouffret. Today, the surname Gioffre is predominantly found in Italy, especially in regions with a strong Norman influence like Sicily and Calabria.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gioffre

The last name Gioffre is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in regions such as Lombardy and Piedmont, where it has historically been associated with the towns of Gavirate, Cisliano, and Cassano Magnago, among others. Additionally, smaller numbers of individuals carrying the surname Gioffre can be found throughout other parts of Italy. Outside of Italy, the distribution is relatively scarce, with a significant presence in Argentina, due to Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Smaller populations are also found in countries such as France, Switzerland, and the United States, primarily as a result of further migration from Italy or through marital ties with Italian-descended individuals.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gioffre

The surname Gioffre (or Gioffre) is an Italian variation originating from the Lombardy region. It is derived from the personal name Giovanni, which means "God is gracious" or "God is merciful". Common variations and spellings of this last name include:

1. Joffre - a French spelling, often found in regions with close historical ties to Italy.
2. Geofree - an Anglicized version, though not commonly used due to the strong Italian influence on the name.
3. Dziedzic Joffry - Polish variant, transliterated from the original Italian, meaning "heir of Joffre."
4. Jöfrey - Scandinavian spelling, arising from migration or assimilation of Italian families into these regions.
5. Gioffredi (or Giuffredi) - Plural form in Italian, used when more than one member of a family bears the name.
6. Jofre (or Iofré) - Portuguese and Galician variations, respectively, found in regions with significant historical influence from Italy.
7. Gioffra - Rare variant that may have originated as a typographical error or regional dialect adjustment.
8. Joffroy - A less common English spelling, still derived from the original Italian name.
9. Geofroi (or Giuffroi) - Variations in French and Italian, respectively, possibly arising from historical pronunciation differences.
10. Gioffreau (or Giuffreau) - An archaic or regional form of the surname that has since become less common.

Famous people with the last name Gioffre

The Gioffre surname is associated with several notable figures across various fields. In the realm of sports, Joe Gioffre was a professional boxer who held the British Empire and Commonwealth Heavyweight titles in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In entertainment, Robert Goffredo "Bobby" Gioffre, also known as Bobby Guillaume, was an American actor and comedian best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show. In academia, Charles P. Gioffre is a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, whose research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of emotion regulation. Lastly, in music, the Gioffre family has produced several notable musicians, including Vincent and John Gioffre, who were members of the popular 1960s band, The Cowsills. These individuals represent a few examples of the significant contributions made by people bearing the Gioffre surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Gioffre

The surname Gioffre is believed to have Italian origins, derived from the medieval given name Giuffre, a diminutive form of Guelfo or Geoffroi. The Guelfs were a prominent political faction in central Italy during the Middle Ages, supporters of the Papacy against the German Emperors. The Gioffre family can be traced back to various regions in Italy such as Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, with significant numbers also found in Genoa and Venice. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is Giuffro de' Fieschi in the 12th century. The family expanded into France during the Middle Ages, where they became prominent nobles, most notably with the House of Giuffré of Angoulême. Throughout history, notable bearers of the name include Pietro Gioffre, an Italian painter active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and Jacques Goffart, a Belgian medieval historian. Today, variations of the surname can be found worldwide, particularly in countries with significant Italian immigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Gioffre"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends