The lineage of the name Govord begins with the
Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived at
the court, a phrase which may have indicated either a large mansion or a tribunal. The prefix
A was often dropped by the 13th century, when many branches of the family became known as
Court. Some historians have suggested that certain variations of the name may be nicknames derived from the Old French and Old English word
curt, meaning
short or
truncated. However, time has confused the different derivations, and it is now extremely difficult to tell which is appropriate to a given family or situation.
Early Origins of the Govord family
The surname Govord was first found in "Covert or Couert,
Normandy, [who] held by the service of 1 fee of the barony or Braiose [Briouze]."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) William de Braose (Briouze), First Lord of Bramber (died c. 1096) was granted extensive lands in
Sussex by William the Conqueror. Accordingly, the Govord family held lands from him in
Sussex. In 1107, William de Cuvert witnessed the foundation charter of Barnstaple and years later William Guvert (Cuvert) held a fee of ancient enfeoffment from William de Courcy in
Somerset.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
Early History of the Govord family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Govord research.
Another 227 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Govord History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Govord Spelling Variations
Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Govord has undergone many
spelling variations, including A'Court, Court, Courte, Couert, Covert, Courtie, Courts and many more.
Early Notables of the Govord family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Govord Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Govord family to Ireland
Some of the Govord family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 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 Govord family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the unstable social climate in
England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Govord were among those contributors: Richard Court who settled in Virginia in 1637.
The Govord 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: Grandescunt aucta labore
Motto Translation: What is increased by Labour grows greater.