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![Show Contents]() Godfreed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The Godfreed surname first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria, some time after the 12th century, when hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules, and names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Godfreed is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Godfreed was given to someone who lived in Bavaria, where the name came from humble beginnings but eventually gained a significant reputation for their contribution to the region's medieval society. Early Origins of the Godfreed familyThe surname Godfreed was first found in Bavaria, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Early History of the Godfreed familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godfreed research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1210 is included under the topic Early Godfreed History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Godfreed Spelling VariationsOne can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Godfreed include Gottfried, Godfreed, Gotfried, Gottfreed, Gottfrieden and many more. Early Notables of the Godfreed familyMore information is included under the topic Early Godfreed Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Godfreed familyThe great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Georg Gottfried, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1738; as well as Johann Georg Gottfried in 1744.
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