Goodenew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Early Origins of the Goodenew family

Early History of the Goodenew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodenew research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1682, 1686, 1689, 1743, 1750, 1786, 1827, 1830, 1844, 1845 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Goodenew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodenew Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Goodenew are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Goodenew include Goodenough, Goodenowe, Goodenuff and others.

Early Notables of the Goodenew family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Goodenough (fl. 1686), English conspirator, an attorney of bad repute, who contrived nevertheless to obtain the under-sheriffdom of London, which he held in turn with his brother Francis for some years. "In July 1682 the justices of the peace fined him 100l. because he refused to alter the panel as they pleased at the sessions at Hicks's Hall. He was to have appeared along with Grey on 7 May 1689 as a witness against John Charlton, also charged with high treason against Charles II, but both had the good sense to keep...
Another 160 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodenew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Goodenew family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Goodenew, or a variant listed above: Richard Goodenough, who settled in New England in 1686; Anne Goodenowe, wife of Edmund, mother of John and Thomas, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1638.