Godfray Surname

The Origins of the Surname Godfray

The surname Godfray is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Godfrey." The name is a combination of the elements "god," meaning good, and "frith," meaning peace. Therefore, the name Godfray can be translated to mean "good peace." It was a popular given name in medieval England and eventually evolved into a hereditary surname.

Early Recordings of the Name

The surname Godfray has a long history and can be traced back to early medieval times. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a man named Godfrid is listed as a landowner in Essex, England. Over the centuries, various spellings of the name have emerged, including Godfrey, Godfree, Godfraid, and Godfrith, among others.

In England, the surname Godfray has been particularly common in the counties of Essex, Kent, and Sussex. Families bearing the name have been prominent landowners, merchants, and professionals throughout history. The name has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and settlement.

Distribution of the Surname

According to data compiled from various sources, the surname Godfray is most prevalent in England, particularly in the historic county of Essex, where it has an incidence rate of 95. It is also common in the United States, with an incidence rate of 47, and in Jersey, with an incidence rate of 46. Other countries where the surname is found include Canada, Tanzania, Nigeria, Chile, and Liberia.

In addition to its presence in English-speaking countries, the surname Godfray is also found in countries with historic ties to Britain, such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and India. The name has even made its way to countries such as Russia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, albeit in smaller numbers.

Notable Bearers of the Name

Throughout history, individuals bearing the surname Godfray have made significant contributions to various fields. One notable figure is Sir Edward William Godfree, a British chemist and physicist known for his work on crystallography. Another prominent individual is Mark Godfrey, an Australian artist known for his abstract paintings.

Within the realm of literature, Godfray has also left its mark. The British author Michael Godfray is known for his contributions to the field of ecology, while the American poet Emily Godfrey has garnered critical acclaim for her poetry.

Variants of the Name

Over the centuries, the surname Godfray has undergone various spelling variations, reflecting the evolution of language and the influence of regional dialects. Some common variants of the name include Godfrey, Godfree, Godfraid, Godfrith, and Godfrist.

Individuals with these variants of the surname may belong to the same ancestral line as those bearing the name Godfray. Genealogical research can help trace the connections between different branches of the family and shed light on the history of the surname.

Conclusion

The surname Godfray has a rich history and a global presence, with roots in medieval England and branches that extend to various corners of the world. Through the study of genealogy and historical records, individuals with the surname Godfray can uncover the stories of their ancestors and the legacy they have left behind.

The surname Godfray within the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar occurs in the case of Godfray, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname which can be found in a lot of the countries of this globe. In the same way you can find nations in which certainly the thickness of people using the surname Godfray is greater than in other countries.

The map of the Godfray surname

View Godfray surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Godfray on earth, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible amount of people using the surname Godfray, to obtain in this way the complete information of all the Godfray that you could presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not only in which the surname Godfray originates from, but also in what way the folks that are initially an element of the family that bears the surname Godfray have moved and moved. In the same manner, you are able to see by which places they have settled and grown up, which is why if Godfray is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations regarding the globe it will be possible that one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Godfray on the planet

  1. England England (95)
  2. United States United States (47)
  3. Jersey Jersey (46)
  4. Canada Canada (34)
  5. Tanzania Tanzania (33)
  6. Nigeria Nigeria (29)
  7. Chile Chile (12)
  8. Liberia Liberia (7)
  9. Scotland Scotland (4)
  10. Kenya Kenya (4)
  11. Malaysia Malaysia (4)
  12. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (3)
  13. Wales Wales (2)
  14. India India (2)
  15. Czech Republic Czech Republic (1)
  16. Germany Germany (1)
  17. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (1)
  18. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (1)
  19. Russia Russia (1)
  20. Sweden Sweden (1)