Godlee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Godlee family

The surname Godlee was first found in Cheshire at Godley, a township, in the parish of Mottramin-Longdendale, union of Ashton-under-Lyne, hundred of Macclesfield. "Godley is a variant of Godelegh, the name of the possessors of the place in the reign of John: the manor was afterwards held by the Baguleys, who purchased of the Godleys in 1319. 1

"There is also a Hundred of Godley in Surrey." 2

One of the first record may have been of the "the family of De Godlee were resident temp. Edward I." 3

East Cheshire rolls include: Robert de Godelegh, 1294; Henry de Godelegh, 1299; William de Godeleeh, 1349; and Gilbert de Godelegh, 1349. 4

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus de Godlay, 1379; and Cecilia de Godelay, 1379 as holding lands there at that time. 4

Early History of the Godlee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godlee research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1294, 1579, 1611, 1639, 1775, 1800, 1847, 1849, 1909, 1925 and 1932 are included under the topic Early Godlee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godlee Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Godley, Godlee, Godlie, Godly, Godleigh, Godlay, Godelay, Godelegh, Goodleigh, Goodley, Goodlay, Goodlie, Goodlee, Godby, Godbey and many more.

Early Notables of the Godlee family

Distinguished members of the family include

Sir Rickman John Godlee, 1st Baronet KCVO (1849-1925) was an English surgeon, one of the first doctors to surgically remove a brain tumor...

Migration of the Godlee family to Ireland

Some of the Godlee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godlee migration to Australia +

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

Godlee Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Godlee, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Henry Porcher" in 1838 5

The Godlee 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: Sans Dieu rien
Motto Translation: Without God, nothing.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HENY PORCHER 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838HenryPorcher.htm