A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godden family of England.
Reg. 6517 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. two bars or, over all a bend ar. charged with three talbots' heads erased sa”
KentLeyborn Castle · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Godden Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Godden arms are recorded
The Godden arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Godden 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Godden Family in England
The surname Godden is rooted in the ancient landscape of southern England, with deep historical ties to the county of Kent. The name is generally considered a patronymic, meaning it likely originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Goda or Godwin. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in Kentish society, where members were often involved in local agriculture and trade. Records from 1620 confirm that the Godden family had already built a long-standing presence in the region, living as yeoman farmers and landowners who contributed to the local economy. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English life during the Stuart period, as families in Kent often balanced their rural livelihoods with the changing political and social climate of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godwine
Derived from Old English elements meaning good and friend.
This name
GoddenA patronymic surname signifying descendant of the good friend or pious companion.
also spelled
Godin
Godon
Related arms
Goddinvariant spelling
Goddingevariant spelling
Godinvariant spelling
Godingvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
