Show ContentsGoodlet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Goodlet 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 Goodlet family

The surname Goodlet 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 Goodlet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodlet 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 Goodlet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodlet 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 Goodlet family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodlet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Goodlet migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Goodlet Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Goodlet, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 2


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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