Godsman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Godsman was formed. The name was derived from from the baptismal name for the son of Godmund. 1

Adam Goddam or Woodham (d. 1358) was a Franciscan, "born towards the end of the thirteenth century, and attended Ockham's lectures on the ‘Sentences’ of Peter Lombard at Oxford, where he was presumably a member of the Franciscan convent. His studies under Ockham must have ended in the first years of the fourteenth century, when his master went to Paris." 2

Early Origins of the Godsman family

The surname Godsman was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 listed Godman(nus), Godeman(us). 3 Some of the first entries for the name appeared as appeared as a forename as in Godeman de Waledena in the Pipe Rolls for Hertfordshire in 1176; and Godman de Offenchurche in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221.

Astcelinus Godeman was listed at Winton, Hampshire in 1115 and Nicholas Godman was listed in Suffolk in 1188. Henry le Godman was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for Cheshire in 1275 and Gerard Gudman was listed as holding lands in Yorkshire in 1352. 4

Early History of the Godsman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Godsman research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1528, 1529, 1560, 1582, 1583, 1601, 1603, 1649, 1651, 1656, 1699 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Godsman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godsman Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Godsman include Goodman, Goodmann and others.

Early Notables of the Godsman family

Distinguished members of the family include Gabriel Goodman (1528-1601), Dean of Westminster in 1601, born at Ruthin, Denbighshire, about 1529, was second son of Edward Goodman (d. 1560), merchant and burgess of Ruthin.Godfrey Goodman (c.1583-1656), Anglican Bishop of Gloucester, born at Ruthin, Denbighshire, 28 Feb. 1582-1583, was second son of Godfrey Goodman. Cardell Goodman (Cardonell) (1649?-1699), was an English actor of the King's Company at Drury Lane...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Godsman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Godsman family to Ireland

Some of the Godsman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Godsman migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Godsman were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Godsman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William R. Godsman, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1909
Paul B. Godsman, who settled in America, in 1911
John Godsman, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Godsman (post 1700) +

Carroll Godsman, American actress, known for her work in Beefcake (1998), Snow Angels (2007) and Fatal Desire (2006)
Annie Rose Godsman, American illustrator, best known for her illustration in the 1968 children's book Doggy Poo
P. B. Godsman, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 1916 5
John Godsman (1740-1790), birth name of William Davidson, a Scottish-born, Canadian lumber merchant, shipbuilder and politician

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html