Geoffrey is of Old French origin, derived from the Germanic elements "Gau" meaning "pledge" and "frid" meaning "peace". It was introduced into England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Geoffrey is often associated with Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, where he is depicted as a fat, loud, and boastful pardoner who tells lewd stories. The name was popular among medieval royalty, with several English kings bearing this name. Today, Geoffrey is considered a classic and traditional name, although it has become less common in recent years. Its variants include Geoff, Jeff, Jeffery, Jefrey, and Geoffroi. Some notable people named Geoffrey include Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English poetry; Geoffrey Rush, an Australian actor; and Geoffrey Boycott, an English cricketer.
The name Geoffrey experienced fluctuations in popularity over these years, with a significant peak in the late 1980s.