Show ContentsGoodey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Goodey was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Goodey family lived in Edinburghshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. Goodey is an ancient Scottish name that evolved from the Goldie, which derives from the Old English personal name Gold.

Early Origins of the Goodey family

The surname Goodey was first found in Edinburghshire, where the name appears from about 1598 onwards and later in the forms Gowdie, Gaudie, Goddie. "Robert Gowdie was a writer in Edinburgh, 1643 and John Gawdie was one of 'those who ere matriculat in the Companie of Merchands of Edinbergh,' 1687. William Goudie in Ayr, 1689. The surname was early carried to the north appearing in Shetland first in 1576 in the person of Gawane Gadie of Lougasettar, Dunrossness." 1

Early History of the Goodey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodey research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1783 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Goodey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodey Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Goodey has been spelled Goudie, Gouday, Goudey, Goudy, Gowdy, Gowdie, Gadie, Goodie, Gady and many more.

Early Notables of the Goodey family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Goodey family to Ireland

Some of the Goodey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Goodey migration to Australia +

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

Goodey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodey (post 1700) +

  • Fritha Jane Goodey (1972-2004), British stage, radio and film actress, best known for her role in About a Boy (2002)
  • Alfred E. Goodey (1878-1945), English collector of paintings, prints and photographs from Derby, Derbyshire


The Goodey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Honestas
Motto Translation: Honesty.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant


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