Godet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Germany

The rich and ancient history of the Godet family name dates back to the time when France was immersed in the Dark Ages. This name from the Normandy region of France is derived from the Norman-French given name Gaudi, which means ruler.

Early Origins of the Godet family

The surname Godet was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where this celebrated family has held a family seat since ancient times.

One of the earliest records of the family concerns Margue Gaudette who is recorded in 1340. Descending from the original line of Soulange, the family expanded, branched and prospered. This ancient family was known in Normandy, Picardy and Champagne as the Godart's, in Bourgogne as the Godard's and popular spellings of Lyonnais, Berry and Bourbonnais were Gaudart and Gaudard. Playing an important role in their community, the Gaudard family were the Lords of Solier, of la Greslerie, of Laverdine and of Genetais and served as the local Judges for the burgs in 1474. Proving their capability in politics, one of the Gaudard's served as the Mayor of Bourges in 1557 and in 1697 a member of the family served as the Treasurer of France for Berry.

The family were fervent in pursuit of their faith and as such a member of the family became the Archdeacon of Bourbon in 1698 and he held his doctorate in Theology. Many members of the family served as representatives of the business community in Paris. Claude was a businessman of Paris in 1699 and his son, Louis-François, was an architect and a businessman in that same city. François-Pierre, his son, was a buying agent for the famous East India Company in the 1700's. Maurice, a descendant of François-Pierre, was a Knight of Saint Lazaire, a delegate general holding the Order of the Indes, a member of the Association of the French India Company and a Vice-President of the Red Cross for the French India Company.

Early History of the Godet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godet research. The years 1647, 1700 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Godet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godet Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Godet is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Gaudet, Gaudette, Gaudait, Gaudais, Gaudey, Godet, Godette, Godait, Godais, Goder, Godee, Goday, Goddet, Goddette, Gauddet and many more.

Early Notables of the Godet family

More information is included under the topic Early Godet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godet Ranking

In France, the name Godet is the 670^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,107 people with that name. 1

Godet migration to the United States +

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Godet has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Godet were

Godet Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Aman Godet, aged 13, who arrived in South Carolina in 1763 2
Louis Godet, aged 57, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1785 2

Godet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Martin DuBois Godet, who landed in New York, NY in 1843 2
Eugene Godet who settled in Philadelphia in 1843
Thomas Martin Debois Godet, who settled in Philadelphia in 1843

Godet migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Godet Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

François Godet, son of Nicolas and Françoise, who married Françoise Bugon in Montreal, Quebec on 11th January 1649 3
Nicolas Godet, son of Nicolas and Françoise, who married Marguerite Picard, daughter of Jean and Marie, in Montreal, Quebec on 12th November 1658 3
Pierre Godet, son of Denis and Martine, who married Anne Blanchard, daughter of Jean and Radégonde, in Port-Royal, Quebec in 1672 3
Jacques Godet, son of Nicolas and Marguerite, who married Marguerite Duguay, daughter of Jacques and Jeanne, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on 4th November 1698 3
Jean-Bernard Godet, son of Pierre and Anne, who married Jeanne Terriot, daughter of Claude and Marie-Louise, in Port-Royal, Quebec in 1699 3

Godet Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierre Godet, son of Abraham and Agnès, who married Marie-Angélique Pelletier, daughter of Noel and Madeleine, in Quebec on 25th January 1733 3
Dominique Godet, son of Jacques and Marguerite, who married Marie-Anne Cuillerier, daughter of Jean and Marie-Catherine, in Montreal, Quebec on 28th November 1739 3
Jean-Baptiste Godet, son of Abraham and Marie, who married Félicité Pelletier, daughter of Noel and Madeleine, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 3rd September 1742 3
François-Xavier Godet, son of Jacques and Marguerite, who married Angélique Rivard, daughter of Julien and Geneviève, in Montreal, Quebec on 29th September 1755 3
Joseph Godet, son of Joseph and Marie-Josephte, who married Geneviève Orion, daughter of Charles and Marie-Anne, in Nicolet, Quebec on 19th February 1781 3

Citations +

http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.