Show ContentsGoodmon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Goodmon

What does the name Goodmon mean?

Goodmon is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is 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 Goodmon family

The surname Goodmon 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 Goodmon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodmon 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 Goodmon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodmon Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Goodmon 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 Goodmon include: Goodman, Goodmann and others.

Early Notables of the Goodmon 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 Goodmon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Goodmon family to Ireland

Some of the Goodmon 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.

Migration of the Goodmon family

Many 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 Goodmon or a variant listed above: Robart Goodman, who came to Virginia in 1619; John Goodman who sailed on the "Mayflower" and arrived in 1620 at Plymouth, Massachusetts; Richard Goodman, who settled in Cambridge in 1632 and was later Constable of Hartford Conn..



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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