Goodchilde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Goodchilde

What does the name Goodchilde mean?

The name Goodchilde is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person who was referred to as the good child. Tracing the origin of the name further, we found the name Goodchilde was originally from the Old English word Godchild and referred to a person who was good person and well liked. The surname was also used to refer to the godchild of an important member of the community.

Early Origins of the Goodchilde family

The surname Goodchilde was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Goodchilde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodchilde research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goodchilde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodchilde 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 Goodchilde have been found, including Goodchild, Goodchilde and others.

Early Notables of the Goodchilde family

More information is included under the topic Early Goodchilde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodchilde migration to the United States +

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 powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Goodchilde surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Goodchilde Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Goodchilde, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 1

The Goodchilde 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: Vincit omnia veritas
Motto Translation: Truth conquers all things.

Sources +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)