Goodchild Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Goodchild Origin:

England

Origins of Goodchild:

This unique and interesting name has two possible sources and modern-day descendants of the name are likely to be descended from either source. The first of these is a mainly southern English origin, from the old particular name “Godechild,” acquired from the Old English pre 7th Century, “Godcild,” from “God,” which means good and “cild,” which means child. The name may also have used in the Middle Ages as a nickname for a good person. The second origin of the new surname is an old nickname for a person who was the godchild of an important representative of the community and this suggested by the first documentation of the name. One Richard Goodchild and his son “Chirstmas” were early settlers in Virginia, being noted there in 1623.

Variations:

More common variations are: Hgoodchild, Godchild, Goudchild.

England:

The surname Goodchild was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Some say well before the Norman Invasion and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 AD.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Henry Goddechild, dated about 1211, in the “Curia Rolls,” Essex. It was during the time of King John who was known to be the “Lackland,” dated 1199 – 1216. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Goodchild had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Goodchild landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Goodchild who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Richard Goodchild, who landed in Virginia in 1622. Richard Goodchild who settled in Virginia in 1623 with his wife and daughter. Robert Goodchild, who arrived in Maryland in 1661.

People with the surname Goodchild who landed in the United States in the 18th century included William Goodchild settled in New England in 1715. Elizabeth and Hester Goodchild settled in Virginia in 1721. Francis Goodchild, who arrived in Virginia in 1727.

The following century saw more Goodchild surnames arrive. Some of the people with the surname Goodchild who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Henry Goodchild, who landed in New York in 1827. William Goodchild at the age of 22, landed in New York, NY in 1855. James and Robert Goodchild arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Goodchild who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Catherine Goodchild, an English prisoner from Lancaster, who shifted aboard the “Angelina” in April 1844, settling in Van Diemen‘s Land, Australia. Rebecca Goodchild arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Samuel Boddington” in 1850.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Goodchild: England 5,028; United States 1,330; Australia 1,097; South Africa 895; Canada 542; Scotland 197; Germany 134; Wales 124; New Zealand 109; France 61.

Notable People:

Chloe Goodchild is a singer, actress and recording artist.

David John Goodchild (born 17 September 1976) is an old English cricket player. Goodchild was a right-handed opening batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace.

Doreen Goodchild (1900–1998), was a South Australian artist.

Gary Goodchild (born 1958), was an English football player.

George Goodchild (1888–1969), was a British author.

Jim Goodchild (1892–1950), was an English football player.

John Goodchild (1851–1914), was a British surgeon, poet and spiritual, writer of Light of the West.

John C. Goodchild (1898–1980), was a South Australian artist.

Johnny Goodchild (born 1939), ia an English football player.

Mike Goodchild (born 1944), is a British-American geographer.

Peter Goodchild (born 1939), is a BBC television farmer and director.

Ronald Goodchild (1910–1998), was an Anglican priest of Kensington

Tim Goodchild is an award winning international set and clothes developer from Great Britain.

William Goodchild (born 1964), was a British singer and writer.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Pallion, co. Durham). Motto—Vincit omnia veritas. Ar. on a chev. sa. betw. three parrots vert beaked and legged gu. as many annulets or. Crest—A parrot, as in the arms.
2) (granted to Thomas Goodchild, of London, and of Valetta, Malta, 29 Sept. 1808). Per pale erminois and erm. on a chev. az. betw. three parrots vert, beaked and legged gu. as many bezants. Crest—A pellet, thereon a parrot, as in the arms, in the beak an annulet gu.
3) Ar. on a chev. sa. three bezants.