A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodhew family of England.
Reg. 8117 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a chev. vairé betw. three talbots pass. ar”
KentScale · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Goodhew Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Goodhew arms are recorded
The Goodhew 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 Goodhew 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 Goodhew Family in England
The surname Goodhew is rooted in the Old English language, likely originating as a descriptive nickname for a person with a kind or virtuous disposition. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Kent, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this period, families in Kent were often tied to the land through farming or local trades, contributing to the growth of rural communities in the southeast of England. As the name spread across the region, it evolved through various spellings common to the era, reflecting the way local clerks recorded names based on their sound. The persistence of the Goodhew name in Kent suggests that these early ancestors were stable members of their parishes, helping to preserve the family identity through generations of local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godhew
Derived from Old English words for good and form or appearance.
This name
GoodhewA descriptive surname for a person with a pleasant or virtuous physical appearance.
also spelled
Goodhew
Goodhewe
Goodhue
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Parish Registers of Kent, 1620
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
