Wishlist
Menu
Cart
HouseofNames
Wishlist
Cart

Show ContentsGoodwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Product

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

4.9 Average Rating

The history of the name Goodwin begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the baptismal name Godwin, which comes from the Old English name "Go-dwine," composed of the elements "go-d," meaning "good," and "wine," meaning "friend," collectively meaning "God friend." 1 2

Early Origins of the Goodwin family

The surname Goodwin was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very early times. Godwin or Godwine (d. 1053) was the Earl of Wessex, chief adviser to King Canute, who held great wealth and lands in those times. His son Harold Godwinson (circa 1022-1066) was Harold II of England, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, killed on October 14 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. Godwin, or Godwine was also the name of an 11th century Bishop of Lichfield, who died in 1020. 3

Early rolls show the many spellings used throughout ancient Britain beginning with the Domesday Book of 1086 where we find Ailmar filius Goduini. 4 Years later in Yorkshire, we found Ricardus filius Godwini in the Assize Rolls of 1219. In Norfolk, the Pipe Rolls of 1177 list Walter Godwin as holding lands there at that time. In Cambridgeshire, the Feet of Fines for 1327 list Robert Gudwen and in the same year, William Goudwyne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex. In Worcestershire, William Godewynes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 and back in Yorkshire, we found John Gudwyn listed as a Freeman of York in 1388. 2

Early History of the Goodwin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodwin research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1177, 1219, 1273, 1296, 1327, 1500, 1517, 1562, 1590, 1594, 1597, 1600, 1603, 1605, 1633, 1641, 1654, 1655, 1659, 1660, 1662, 1665, 1670, 1674, 1677, 1680, 1695, 1719, 1730 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Goodwin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodwin Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Goodwin has been recorded under many different variations, including Godwin, Goodwin, Goodin, Gooding, Goodings, Goodwyn, Godwyn, Godwine, Goodwine, Goddwin, Goddwyn, Goddywne and many more.

Early Notables of the Goodwin family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Thomas Godwin (1517-1590), Bishop of Bath and Wells, born in 1517 at Oakingham, Berkshire, of poor parents; Francis Godwin (1562-1633), English divine, Bishop of Llandaff and of Hereford; John Goodwin...

Goodwin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Goodwin is the 377th most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Goodwin is ranked the 804th most popular surname with an estimated 6,678 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Goodwin is the 306th popular surname with an estimated 11,702 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Goodwin as 266th with 2,278 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Goodwin as 264th with 22,836 people. 9

Ireland Migration of the Goodwin family to Ireland

Some of the Goodwin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Goodwin migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Goodwin or a variant listed above:

Goodwin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mrs. Goodwin, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon"
  • Mr. William Goodwin, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 10
  • Miss Elisabeth Goodwin, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 10
  • Mr. Ozias Goodwin, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 10
  • Mr. William Goodwin, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon", Ozias son 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Goodwin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edwin Goodwin, who settled in Maryland in 1731
  • Catherine Goodwin, a bonded passenger, who arrived in America in 1770
Goodwin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Miss Catherine Goodwin, (b. 1851), aged 16, Barbadian servant traveling aboard the ship "Union" arriving in New York in 1867 11

Australia Goodwin migration to Australia +

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

Goodwin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Goodwin, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. William Goodwin, (b. 1777), aged 23, English baker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Miss Ann Goodwin, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Miss Ann Goodwin, (b. 1780), aged 24, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 2nd January 1804, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1853 14
  • Mr. Valentine Goodwin, (b. 1779), aged 34, British Convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1829 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Goodwin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Goodwin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Goodwin, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "David Owen" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 16
  • Henry Goodwin, aged 49, a stock keeper, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Elizabeth Goodwin, aged 43, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • James Goodwin, aged 16, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Jane Goodwin, aged 11, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodwin (post 1700) +

  • Maryellen Goodwin (1964-2023), American politician, Member of the Rhode Island Senate (2003-2023)
  • Alfred Theodore Goodwin (1923-2022), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1991-2022), Judge in the Pledge of Allegiance case
  • Melanie Wade Goodwin (1970-2020), American politician, Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (2005-2011)
  • Richard Naradof Goodwin (1931-2018), American speech writer and presidential advisor to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
  • Leo Budd Goodwin (1883-1957), American gold and two time bronze Olympic medalist for swimming at the 1904 and 1908 games
  • Thomas Jones Goodwin (b. 1968), American former Major League Baseball player
  • Doris Kearns Goodwin (b. 1943), born Doris Helen Kearns, American Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, historian, and political commentator
  • Archie Goodwin (1937-1998), American comic book writer, editor, and artist
  • Robert W. "Bob" Goodwin, Australian-born, American television producer and director best known for his work as senior executive producer of The X-Files
  • Charles Tod Goodwin (b. 1997), American former NFL football end
  • ... (Another 145 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Master Thomas Alfred  Goodwin (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
  • Miss Mary F.  Goodwin (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
  • Mrs. Minnie  Goodwin (1884-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Neil Francis Goodwin (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18
  • Mr. Wilfred James Goodwin (1915-1941), Australian Able Seaman from East Malvern, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18
HMS Cornwall
  • Donald Frederick Goodwin (d. 1942), British Marine aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 19
RMS Lusitania
  • Miss Rose Goodwin, American 3rd Class passenger from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 20
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Frederick Joseph Goodwin (d. 1912), aged 42, English Third Class passenger from Fulham who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
  • Mrs. Augusta Goodwin (d. 1912), (née Tyler), aged 43, English Third Class passenger from Fulham who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
  • Miss Lillian Amy Goodwin (d. 1912), aged 16, English Third Class passenger from Fulham who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
  • Mr. Charles Edward Goodwin (d. 1912), aged 14, English Third Class passenger from Fulham who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
  • Master William Frederick Goodwin (d. 1912), aged 13, English Third Class passenger from Fulham who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
  • ... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
USS Arizona
  • Mr. William Arthur Goodwin, American Seaman Second Class from Colorado, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 22

The Goodwin 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: Fide et virtute
Motto Translation: By fidelity and valour.

Suggested Readings for the name Goodwin +

  • Godwin by Jamie Ault Grady.
  • Godwin-Hill and Related Families by Ruth Godwin Gadbury.
  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Barbados archives retrieved 2nd November 2021 from https://attheBarbadosarchives.wordpress.com/2003/07/18/Barbados-heritage-passenger-lists-and-Barbados-departures/
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  18. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  19. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  20. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  21. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  22. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Houseofnames.com on Facebook