Gotfry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Gotfry is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name for the son of Godfrey. Baptismal names were a form of patronymic surnames, and came from either the religious or vernacular given name traditions. In this case, the patronym was adopted from the personal name of the bearers father.

Early Origins of the Gotfry family

The surname Gotfry was first found in Kent. One of the first records of the name was Henricus filius Godefrid who was listed in the Pipe Rolls taken during the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189.) 1

It is generally believed that he was related to William Godefridus of Normandy listed in a census there taken 1180-1198. 2

However, the Godfrey variant had many early references including Godfrey the Bearded (c.?997-1069); and his son, Godfrey IV, Duke of Lower Lorraine (died 1706), known as the Hunchback who was assassinated in Vlaardingen; Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060-1100), a medieval Frankish knight, one of the leaders of the First Crusade, Godfrey of Cambrai, the prior of Winchester Abbey from 1082 until his death in 1107; and Godfrey (died 1088), medieval Bishop of Chichester.

"In the churchyard [of Woodford, Essex] is a splendid Corinthian column of marble, about forty feet in height, erected to the memory of the Godfrey family, which flourished many years in Kent; also a tomb with a column entirely covered with ivy, of picturesque appearance; and a remarkably fine old yew-tree." 3

Early History of the Gotfry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gotfry research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1622, 1631, 1641, 1642, 1648, 1666, 1678, 1714, 1790, 1797, 1813, 1831, 1837, 1839, 1856, 1859, 1863, 1868, 1872 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gotfry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gotfry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Gotfry have been found, including Godfrey, Godfry, Godfrie, Godfree, Godfery, Godkin and many more.

Early Notables of the Gotfry family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey (1622-1678), English politician, London woodmonger and Justice of the Peace, his unsolved murder was one of the most celebrated historical mysteries; Richard Godfrey...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gotfry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gotfry family to Ireland

Some of the Gotfry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 120 words (9 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 Gotfry family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Gotfry, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Andrew Godfrey who settled in Barbados in 1678; Hugh Godfrey who settled in Barbados in 1663; Edward Godfrey who settled in Maine in 1630; Richard Godfrey who settled in Virginia in 1652.

The Gotfry 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: Deus et libertas
Motto Translation: God and liberty.

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)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.