Show ContentsGodstin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Godstin family

The surname Godstin was first found in Norfolk at Gooderstone, a parish, in the union of Swaffham, hundred of South Greenhoe. "The church exhibits various stages of the English style, and has a square embattled tower; the nave is divided from the chancel by the remains of a beautifully carved screen, and on the south side of the chancel is a double piscina." 1

The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Godestuna. 2

By 1254, the parish was known as Gutherstone and literally meant "farmstead of a man called Guthhere," having derived from the Old English personal name + "tun." 3

The Domesday Book also listed Alwinus Gode sunu as holding lands in Somerset at that time. The Pipe Rolls for London included a listing for William Godsune in 1200. Later, Benedict Godsone was listed in the Feet of Fines for Cheshire in 1298 and Richard Goddesone in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1332. 4

Early History of the Godstin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godstin research. Another 320 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1205, 1235, 1252, 1294, 1296, 1302, 1303, 1305, 1332, 1377, 1402, 1634, 1654, 1662, 1716, 1718, 1741, 1839 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Godstin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godstin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Goodson, Goodison, Gooderson, Goodisson, Goodsone, Godson, Godison, Goderson, Godisson, Gudgeon and many more.

Early Notables of the Godstin family

Distinguished members of the family include Richard Goodson the Elder (d. 1718), English organist of New College and of Christchurch, Oxford. Richard Goodson the Younger (d. 1741), proceeded Mus. Bac. from Christchurch, Oxford, 1 March 1716; was organist at Christchurch and New College, and succeeded his...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Godstin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Godstin family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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