Goodenow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Goodenow is mistakenly thought to be given to a person who was easily satisfied or whose achievements "good enough." 1

"The original bearer was perhaps a sufficiently worthy fellow." 2 Another source claims the name was a local name derived from "Godin," the name of the first settler of an area and "hough, haugh" or "how" which meant a hill or mound. 3

Early Origins of the Goodenow family

The surname Goodenow was first found in Yorkshire where the Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Radulphus Godenogh; Johannes Godynogh; and Robertus Gudynegh as all holding lands there at that time. 3

While the lion's share of the family hailed from here there was one lone listing in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Kent. Geoffrey Godynogh was listed there at that time. 4

Early History of the Goodenow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodenow research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1682, 1686, 1689, 1743, 1750, 1786, 1827, 1830, 1844, 1845 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Goodenow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodenow Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Goodenow has been recorded under many different variations, including Goodenough, Goodenowe, Goodenuff and others.

Early Notables of the Goodenow family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Goodenough (fl. 1686), English conspirator, an attorney of bad repute, who contrived nevertheless to obtain the under-sheriffdom of London, which he held in turn with his brother Francis for some years. "In July 1682 the justices of the peace fined him 100l. because he refused to alter the panel as they pleased at the sessions at Hicks's Hall. He was to have appeared along with Grey on 7 May 1689 as a witness against John Charlton, also charged with high treason against Charles II, but both had the good sense to keep...
Another 160 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodenow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodenow migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Goodenows were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Goodenow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Edmund Goodenow, who arrived in New England in 1640 5
John Goodenow, who landed in New England in 1641 5
Thomas Goodenow, who arrived in New England in 1643 5

Goodenow migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodenow Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Marquis Lafayette Goodenow, who landed in Canada in 1840

Goodenow migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Goodenow Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Samuel Goodenow, aged 40, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodenow (post 1700) +

John Milton Goodenow (1782-1838), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio (1829-1830)
Rufus King Goodenow (1790-1863), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine (1849-1851)
Robert Goodenow (1800-1874), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine (1851-1853)
Robert W. "Bob" Goodenow (b. 1952), American Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players Association in 1992

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)