Show ContentsGoodlad History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Goodlad name comes from the Middle English words "gode," meaning "good," and "ladde," or "lad," meaning "a servant;" as such, it was likely originally a nickname for a trusted servant, which was later taken on as a surname.

Early Origins of the Goodlad family

The surname Goodlad was first found in Yorkshire where in 1301 the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire list Robert Godelad as holding lands at that time. Years later, William Goodlad was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. William Goodland was listed in Yorkshire in 1464. [1]

Early History of the Goodlad family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodlad research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1437, 1491, 1510, 1576, 1600, 1620, 1639 and 1645 are included under the topic Early Goodlad History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodlad Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Goodlet, Goddlett, Goodley, Goodly, Goodlad, Goodlat, Goodlatt, Goodlatte, Goodlegh, Gudlad, Goodleigh, Goodlaw, Guidlaw, Guidlad and many more.

Early Notables of the Goodlad family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • William Goodlad (c. 1576–1639), an admiral of the English whaling fleet in 1620 and later admiral of the Muscovy Company's London whaling fleet for nearly two decades


United States Goodlad migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodlad Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Stephen Goodlad, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 [2]
  • Peter, Andrew and Robert Goodlad, who settled in Virginia in 1664
  • Robert Goodlad, who landed in Virginia in 1664 [2]
  • Peter Goodlad, who arrived in Virginia in 1665 [2]
  • Andrew Goodlad, who arrived in Virginia in 1665 [2]
Goodlad Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Lawrence Goodlad, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Sheffield, England, in 1907
  • Mina Goodlad, aged 27, who immigrated to America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1912
  • William Goodlad, aged 0, who immigrated to the United States from Shetland, Scotland, in 1913
  • Mary Goodlad, aged 31, who landed in America from Shetland, Scotland, in 1913
  • Andrew Goodlad, aged 2, who landed in America from Shetland, Scotland, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Goodlad migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodlad Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Robert Goodlad, aged 38, who immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1922

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodlad (post 1700) +

  • John Inkster Goodlad (1920-2014), Canadian-born, American educator, researcher and professor in education, President of the American Educational Research Association (1967-1968)
  • Phil Goodlad, Scottish television and radio sports reporter for the BBC
  • Elaine Goodlad (b. 1964), Canadian professional figure competitor and makeup artist
  • Mark Goodlad (b. 1979), British former professional footballer goalkeeper who played from 1998 to 2008
  • Alistair Goodlad KCMG, PC, (b. 1943), Baron Goodlad, an English politician and diplomat, British High Commissioner to Australia (2000-2005), Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (1997-1998), Shadow Leader of the House of Commons in 1997, Government Chief Whip of the House of Commons Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (1995-1997), Treasurer of the Household (1990-1992)


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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)


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