Show ContentsGoodall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Goodall

What does the name Goodall mean?

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Goodall family, who lived in Yorkshire, which was the largest county in northern England and was divided into three administrative ridings, North Riding, West Riding, and East Riding. It was bordered by the counties of Durham, Westmorland, Lancashire, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The town of York was the military capital of Roman Britain, the capital of Northumbria, and was the seat of an Archbishop. Yorkshire was also the home of the House of York, which was an English royal dynasty from 1461 to 1485. The reigning members of the House of York were Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. Their rivalry with the House of Lancaster resulted in the Wars of the Roses, which lasted from 1455 to 1485 and ended when the Lancastrian Henry VII united the two houses by marrying Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV.

Early Origins of the Goodall family

The surname Goodall was first found in West Riding of Yorkshire at Gowdall, a township, in the parish of Snaith, union of Goole, Lower division of the wapentake of Osgoldcross. 1

In the 12th century, this parish was known as Goodale, 2 3 and literally meant "nook of land where marigolds grow," from the Old English words "golde" + halh." 2

However, two sources claim the name was derived from "good hall." 4 5 The former also postulates it could have been derived from "good - ale."

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 have numerous entries of the family including: Villa de Goldale; Johannes Godhale; Ricardus de Goldall; and Johannes Godhall. Over in the East Riding of Yorkshire the Poll Tax of Howdenshire, again recorded in 1379 listed: Agnes Godhall; and Johannes Gudhall. 3

Early History of the Goodall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodall research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1642, 1670, 1706, 1712, 1766 and 1967 are included under the topic Early Goodall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodall Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Goodall were recorded, including Goodall, Goodale, Godall, Godale, Goodell and others.

Early Notables of the Goodall family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Charles Goodall . (1642-1712), English physician, born in Suffolk in 1642, studied medicine at Leyden, and graduated M.D. at Cambridge 26 Nov. 1670. 6
  • Walter Goodall (circa 1706-1766), was a Scottish historical writer. He was the apologist of Mary Queen of Scots, and was the eldest son of John Goodall, a farmer in Banffshire. 6

Goodall World Ranking

In the United States, the name Goodall is the 6,437th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 However, in New Zealand, the name Goodall is ranked the 496th most popular surname with an estimated 1,378 people with that name. 8 And in the United Kingdom, the name Goodall is the 696th popular surname with an estimated 9,597 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Goodall family to Ireland

Some of the Goodall family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Goodall migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Goodall arrived in North America very early:

Goodall Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mary Goodall, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1629 10
  • Robert Goodall, (Goodale), aged 30, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Elizabeth", bound for Salem 10
  • Mrs. Katherine Goodall, (Goodale), aged 28, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Elizabeth", bound for Salem 11
  • Miss Mary Goodall, (Goodale), aged 4, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Elizabeth", bound for Salem 11
  • Mr. Abraham Goodall, (Goodale), aged 2, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Elizabeth", bound for Salem 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Goodall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Goodall, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1819 10
  • James Goodall, aged 26, who landed in Norfolk, Va in 1822 10
  • Thomas H Goodall, who landed in Mississippi in 1836 10
  • John Gray Goodall, who arrived in Mississippi in 1840 10
  • George F Goodall, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1406 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goodall migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodall Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. David Goodall U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association, listed as a child but more than 10 years of age 12
Goodall Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • I W Goodall, who arrived in Canada in 1831

Goodall migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Goodall Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Goodall, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. Charles Goodall who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • Mr. David Goodall, (b. 1808), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1863 15
  • Mr. Joseph Goodall, (b. 1812), aged 22, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1860 15
  • Mr. Richard Goodall, English convict who was convicted in Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goodall 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:

Goodall Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Goodall, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
  • David Goodall, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • Sarah Goodall, aged 35, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • Thomas Goodall, aged 9, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Goodall, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodall (post 1700) +

  • Dame Jane Goodall DBE (b. 1934), English Chimpanzee expert and conservationist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute
  • Louis B. Goodall (1851-1935), United States Representative from Maine
  • Louis Bertrand Goodall (1851-1935), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Maine 1st District, 1917-21 17
  • Joab Goodall, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1924 17
  • J. E. Goodall, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 12th District, 1865-67 17
  • F. P. Goodall, American politician, Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, 1881 17
  • Ernest M. Goodall, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maine, 1904 17
  • Charles Goodall (1824-1899), American politician, Member of California State Assembly 8th District, 1871-73 17
  • David William Goodall AM (1914-2018), English-born, Australian botanist and ecologist; as an advocate of voluntary euthanasia legalisation, he ended his own life in Switzerland via physician-assisted suicide at the age of 104
  • Admiral Samuel Granston Goodall (b. 1801), English officer of the Royal Navy, eponym of the HMS Goodall (K479), a British Captain-class frigate
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Albert Edward  Goodall (1891-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
RMS Lusitania
  • Master Jack Goodall, American 3rd Class passenger from Kearney, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. William Goodall, American 3rd Class passenger from Kearney, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  • Master Leonard Goodall, American 3rd Class passenger from Kearney, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  • Mrs. Beatrice Goodall, American 3rd Class passenger from Kearney, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19


The Goodall Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Toujours fidele
Motto Translation: Always faithful.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  5. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. 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)
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  18. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  19. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


Houseofnames.com on Facebook