Godghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the name Godghan date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from from the baptismal name for the son of Godmund. 1

Adam Goddam or Woodham (d. 1358) was a Franciscan, "born towards the end of the thirteenth century, and attended Ockham's lectures on the ‘Sentences’ of Peter Lombard at Oxford, where he was presumably a member of the Franciscan convent. His studies under Ockham must have ended in the first years of the fourteenth century, when his master went to Paris." 2

Early Origins of the Godghan family

The surname Godghan was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 listed Godman(nus), Godeman(us). 3 Some of the first entries for the name appeared as appeared as a forename as in Godeman de Waledena in the Pipe Rolls for Hertfordshire in 1176; and Godman de Offenchurche in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221.

Astcelinus Godeman was listed at Winton, Hampshire in 1115 and Nicholas Godman was listed in Suffolk in 1188. Henry le Godman was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for Cheshire in 1275 and Gerard Gudman was listed as holding lands in Yorkshire in 1352. 4

Early History of the Godghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godghan research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1528, 1529, 1560, 1582, 1583, 1601, 1603, 1649, 1651, 1656, 1699 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Godghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godghan Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Godghan include Goodman, Goodmann and others.

Early Notables of the Godghan family

Distinguished members of the family include Gabriel Goodman (1528-1601), Dean of Westminster in 1601, born at Ruthin, Denbighshire, about 1529, was second son of Edward Goodman (d. 1560), merchant and burgess of Ruthin. Godfrey Goodman (c.1583-1656), Anglican Bishop of Gloucester, born at Ruthin, Denbighshire, 28 Feb. 1582-1583, was second son of Godfrey Goodman. Cardell Goodman (Cardonell) (1649?-1699), was an English actor of the King's Company at Drury Lane...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Godghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Godghan family to Ireland

Some of the Godghan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Godghan family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Godghan or a variant listed above: Robart Goodman, who came to Virginia in 1619; John Goodman who sailed on the "Mayflower" and arrived in 1620 at Plymouth, Massachusetts; Richard Goodman, who settled in Cambridge in 1632 and was later Constable of Hartford Conn..

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)