Leegood History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe earliest origins of the Leegood surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who performed good deeds or acts of kindness. 1 Another source claims the name was noting a "descendant of Goda or Gode (good), which is also the first element in many names such as Godmund, Godric and Godwine. In these names it often refers to God; occasionally it refers to the good man." 2 And yet another source claims the name was originally Norman as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Alyered and Ralph Godes of Normandy in 1198. 3 Early Origins of the Leegood familyThe surname Leegood was first found in Kent, Sussex and Wiltshire, where the name God was found in the Domesday Book. 4 5 Other early records include Gilbert le Gode in the Curia Regis Rolls for Berkshire in 1212; Robert Gode in the Assize Rolls of Gloucester of 1221; and Thomas le Goude in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex of 1327. 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included the family entries as both a forename and a surname: Goda Herrt, 1273; William filius Gode; Goda Poggel; Norman filius Gode; Goda de Castre. Interesting no county entries were provided with these. 6 Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Hugo Gud; Cecilia Gud; Robertus Godde and Elena uxor ejus; and Willelmus Gude. 6 In Somerset, Richard le Gode was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 7 Further to the north in Scotland, entries were quite late: "George Gude and Mariota Hommyll, his spouse, are mentioned in 1517. Thomas Gude, was bailie of Lowdoun, Ayr, 1533. John Gwid, mason, was builder of the tower of Pollok, 1536, and John Gud held a tenement in Glasgow, 1555." 8 Early History of the Leegood familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leegood research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1402, 1527, 1537, 1561, 1576, 1581, 1600, 1607, 1609, 1616, 1636, 1638, 1648, 1671, 1678, 1689, 1692 and 1893 are included under the topic Early Leegood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Leegood Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Leegood are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Leegood include: Good, Goode, Goad, Goade, Gudd, Gude, Legood and many more. Early Notables of the Leegood familyNotables of this surname at this time include: James Good (c. 1527-1581), a London physician; Thomas Goad (1576-1638), an English clergyman, controversial writer, and rector of Hadleigh, Suffolk; George Goad (died 1671), Master of Eton College; Thomas Good (Goode), (1609-1678), an English academic and clergyman, and Master of Balliol College, Oxford; John Goad (1616-1689)... Migration of the Leegood family to IrelandSome of the Leegood family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Leegood familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Leegood or a variant listed above: John Goad, age 18, who came to Virginia in 1635; Thomas Goad, age 15, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; Robert Good, who settled in Massachusetts in 1646.
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