Where did the English Godfrey family come from? What is the English Godfrey family crest and coat of arms? When did the Godfrey family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Godfrey family history?
The history of the name Godfrey begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Godfrey. Baptismal names were a form of patronymic surnames, and came from either the religious or vernacular given name traditions. In this case, the patronym was adopted from the personal name of the bearers father.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Godfrey has been recorded under many different variations, including Godfrey, Godfry, Godfrie, Godfree, Godfery, Godkin and many more.
First found in Kent 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.
Godfrey Settlers in the United States in the 17th Century
Edward Godfrey who settled in Maine in 1630
Peter Godfrey, who arrived in New England in 1631
Jo Godfrey, aged 21, arrived in Virginia in 1635
Richard Godfrey who settled in Virginia in 1652
Elias Godfrey, who arrived in Maryland in 1662
Godfrey Settlers in the United States in the 18th Century
Vincent Godfrey, who landed in Virginia in 1701
Mary Godfrey, who arrived in Virginia in 1701
Fra Godfrey, who arrived in Virginia in 1705
William Godfrey, who arrived in America in 1765
Sarah Godfrey, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pa in 1773
Godfrey Settlers in the United States in the 19th Century
Wm Godfrey, who arrived in Savanna(h), Ga in 1806
Thomas Godfrey, who landed in New York, NX in 1815
Margaret Godfrey, aged 65, landed in New York, NY in 1816
Kemp Godfrey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1834
Edward Godfrey, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pa in 1840
Some noteworthy people of the name Godfrey
Daniel Strong Godfrey (b. 1949), American composer
Arthur Morton Godfrey (1903-1983), American Peabody Award winning radio and television broadcaster
Thomas Godfrey (1704-1749), American optician and inventor of the octant
Brigadier-General Stuart Chapin Godfrey (1886-1945), American Commanding Officer, Aviation Engineering Training Center, Geiger Field, Washington (1945)
Sir Dan Godfrey (1868-1939), English conductor
Tommy Godfrey (1916-1984), English film and television actor
Laurence Paul Godfrey (b. 1976), English Olympic archer
Peter Ronald Godfrey (b. 1938), English former professional association football player
Bob Godfrey (b. 1921), Australian born, British animation producer/director who won the Academy Award for his musical feature "Great"
Richard Timothy Godfrey (1945-2003), British art historian
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: Deus et libertas
Motto Translation: God and liberty.