Map of England showing where the Godbey arms are recorded
The Godbey arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Godbey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Godbey Family in England
The Godbey family name has roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century in England. Records confirm that members of the family were living in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Godbe or Godbie, which was common before spelling became standardized. Many families with this name were part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped define the social landscape of northern England. As the century progressed, some members of the family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their name into the American colonies. This transition marked the beginning of the family’s expansion beyond their original English home and into the history of the New World.
Godbey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Godebert
Derived from the Germanic elements for god and bright or famous.
This name
GodbeyA patronymic surname originating from the Old French personal name Godebert, meaning bright god.
also spelled
Godbey
Godbie
Godbee
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York Minster Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of York, 1620
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
