A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodrich family of England.
Reg. 2891 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, two lions pass. betw. ten crosses crosslet sa”
NorfolkBittering Parva · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Goodrich Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Goodrich arms are recorded
The Goodrich arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind 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 Goodrich 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Goodrich Family in England
The surname Goodrich is rooted in the Old English language, originating from the personal name Godric. This name is a combination of the words for god and ruler, which suggests a lineage associated with leadership or divine favor in early medieval England. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Norfolk during the early seventeenth century, the name had evolved into its modern spelling. Many individuals bearing this name were part of the growing middle class in East Anglia, often working as skilled tradesmen or landowners. The presence of the family in Norfolk by 1620 places them among the generations that lived through a period of significant social and economic change in England. This era saw many families like the Goodrichs become deeply involved in the local governance and agricultural development of their communities before some members eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godric
Derived from the Old English elements for god and ruler.
This name
GoodrichA surname denoting a descendant of someone who was a ruler favored by God.
also spelled
Goodrick
Gooderich
Gooderick
Related arms
Goderichvariant spelling
Gooderickvariant spelling
Goodrickvariant spelling
Goodrickevariant spelling
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
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for Norfolk, 1600–1650
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
