Goodnight History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Goodnight family

The surname Goodnight was first found in an early record of a John Goddesknyght, who was documented during the reign of Edward II (1307-1327). It is thought that Goodnight was a nickname for a religious person, "God's servant." Although the history of this name is rather obscure, it is presumed that bearers of the name came to Britain with the invasion of Duke William of Normandy, and perhaps even offered assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Goodnight family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goodnight research. More information is included under the topic Early Goodnight History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goodnight Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Goodnight, Goddesknight, Goddesknyght and others.

Early Notables of the Goodnight family

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

Goodnight Ranking

In the United States, the name Goodnight is the 7,028^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Goodnight migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goodnight Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Gerick Goodnight, a German pioneer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1754

Goodnight Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

S. H. Goodnight, who traveled from Hamburg to Ellis Island in 1909

Contemporary Notables of the name Goodnight (post 1700) +

James "Jim" Goodnight (b. 1943), American CEO of SAS Institute, recognized as the wealthiest man in the state of North Carolina and one of the wealthiest in the world
G. Thomas Goodnight, American argumentation and rhetorical scholar
Veryl Goodnight (b. 1947), American sculptress
Isaac Herschel Goodnight (1849-1901), United States Representative from Kentucky
Clyde Davis Goodnight (1924-2002), American football end
Charles Goodnight (1836-1929), American cattle rancher in the American West, best known as the father of the Texas Panhandle, eponym of the panhandle town of Goodnight, Texas

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/