Show ContentsGoodliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Goodliffe 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 Goodliffe family

The surname Goodliffe was first found in Yorkshire where in 1301 the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire list Robert Godelad as holding lands at that time. Years later, William Goodlad was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. William Goodland was listed in Yorkshire in 1464. 1

Early History of the Goodliffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodliffe research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1437, 1491, 1510, 1576, 1600, 1620, 1639 and 1645 are included under the topic Early Goodliffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodliffe 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 Goodliffe family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodliffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Goodliffe migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodliffe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Joseph Goodliffe, aged 46, who landed in America from New Bawley, England, in 1911
  • Maria Goodliffe, aged 52, who immigrated to the United States from New Bawley, England, in 1911
  • Clara Goodliffe, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Sleaford, England, in 1912
  • Harold Goodliffe, aged 19, who immigrated to America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1912
  • Ethel Maude M. Goodliffe, aged 33, who landed in America from Bristol, England, in 1922

Australia Goodliffe migration to Australia +

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

Goodliffe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Goodliffe, English convict who was convicted in Northamptonshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "David Clarke" on 3rd June 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
  • Robert Goodliffe, aged 23, a blacksmith, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Telegraph"
  • John Goodliffe (aged 19), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodliffe (post 1700) +

  • Lawrence Michael Andrew Goodliffe (1914-1976), English actor
  • Major Guy Vernon Goodliffe MC (1883-1963), British Army career officer and an English cricketer


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-clarke


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