Show ContentsGodsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Godsey family

The surname Godsey was first found in Austria, where the name Godsey became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Godsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godsey research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1662, 1663, 1786, 1794 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Godsey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godsey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Godsey, Gottschee, Godske, Goddes, Godeassi, Gotsche, Gotty, Götze and many more.

Early Notables of the Godsey family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Godsey were

  • the Godsey family of Austria

Godsey Ranking

In the United States, the name Godsey is the 5,128th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Godsey family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Johann Jacob Gotschi, who came to North Carolina in 1710; Heinrich Gotschi, who arrived in North Carolina in 1743; Johann Gottschi, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1749.


Contemporary Notables of the name Godsey (post 1700) +

  • George Robert Godsey (b. 1979), American football tight ends coach for the New England Patriots
  • Fred Godsey, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Pará, 1943 2
  • Brenda K. Godsey, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1996 2
  • Raleigh Kirby Godsey (b. 1936), American academic, seventeenth president of Mercer University
  • Steve Godsey (b. 1955), American politician, County Mayor of Sullivan County, Tennessee

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. David L Godsey (1949-1985), American Sergeant 1st Class from Clarksville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 3


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550


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