Goodley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Goodley 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 Goodley family

The surname Goodley was first found in Stirling, where it could be found from the 14th century. The name may have migrated north from Yorkshire, where a Robert Godelad was recorded with estates in that shire in the year 1301. By 1332 the family name could also be found in Cumberland, where a William Goodlad held lands.

Early History of the Goodley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodley research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1645 is included under the topic Early Goodley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodley 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 Goodley family

More information is included under the topic Early Goodley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Goodley, who settled in Virginia in 1773
John Goodley, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1773 1

Goodley 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:

Goodley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Catherine Goodley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1881
Joseph Goodley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1881
George Goodley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1881

Citations +

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)