| ![Show Contents]() Gody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
Etymology of GodyWhat does the name Gody mean? The ancient Scottish name Gody was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in Edinburghshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. Gody is an ancient Scottish name that evolved from the Goldie, which derives from the Old English personal name Gold. Early Origins of the Gody familyThe surname Gody was first found in Edinburghshire, where the name appears from about 1598 onwards and later in the forms Gowdie, Gaudie, Goddie. "Robert Gowdie was a writer in Edinburgh, 1643 and John Gawdie was one of 'those who ere matriculat in the Companie of Merchands of Edinbergh,' 1687. William Goudie in Ayr, 1689. The surname was early carried to the north appearing in Shetland first in 1576 in the person of Gawane Gadie of Lougasettar, Dunrossness." 1 Early History of the Gody familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gody research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1783 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Gody History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gody Spelling VariationsThe many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Gody has been spelled Goudie, Gouday, Goudey, Goudy, Gowdy, Gowdie, Gadie, Goodie, Gady and many more. Early Notables of the Gody familyAnother 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gody Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Gody family to IrelandSome of the Gody family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 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 Gody familyTo escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Thomas Gowdy, who was on record at Long Cane in Abbeyville, South Carolina in 1756; James Gaddy, who came to Canada in 1791; Alexander Goudey who settled in New England in 1792.
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: Honestas
Motto Translation: Honesty.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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