Map of England showing where the Goody arms are recorded
The Goody 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 Goody 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 Goody Family in England
The surname Goody is a descriptive name that likely originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle English term "goody," which was a polite title used to address a woman of good standing, often serving as a shortened form of "goodwife." By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Goody family were well-established in the city of Lincoln. During this period, the family lived in a region deeply influenced by the trade and religious activity surrounding the Lincoln Cathedral. As the name evolved from a social title into a hereditary surname, it remained concentrated in the eastern counties of England. These early ancestors were likely part of the growing merchant or artisan classes who helped shape the local economy of Lincoln before many families began to migrate across the Atlantic in the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God
A Germanic term referring to a deity or divine being.
This name
GoodyA medieval term of endearment meaning good person or a friendly form of address.
also spelled
Gode
Goad
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, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills and Inventories, 1620
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
