A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gooden family of England.
Reg. 9052 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
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)
“Ar. on three pales sa. as many spears' heads of the field”
LincolnLincoln, c. 1620
Where the Gooden Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Gooden arms are recorded
The Gooden arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Gooden 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Gooden Family in England
The surname Gooden is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive nickname or a patronymic name derived from the Old English word "god," meaning good. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Lincoln. During this period, Lincoln served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling community during the reign of King James I. Families living in this area at the time often worked as skilled tradespeople or local landowners, contributing to the growth of the city’s economy. As the family settled into the region, they became part of the local social fabric, leaving behind records in parish registers and legal documents that track their movement and daily lives throughout the 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godwine
Old English compound meaning good friend or friend of God.
This name
GoodenA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Godwine, signifying a descendant of a good friend.
also spelled
Goodin
Gooden
Goddinge
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers for the Diocese of Lincoln, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
