Goodrick

[splash_84]

Does anyone know where the surname 'Goodrick' originated and what it means??

[Buenchico]

According to 'A Dictionary of English Surnames' by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson (which is a standard reference work), the surnames Goodridge, Goodridge, Gooderidge, Gooderick, Goodrick, Goodricke, Godrich, Godridge and Goodwright are all derived from the Old English 'Godric' which means 'good ruler' or 'god ruler'.

It was originally a personal name, rather than a family one.

The family of names possibly switched to being surnames by being preceded by the Latin 'filius', to mean 'son of'. For example, records show a man named Gaufridus filius Godrici in 1207 (in Buckinghamshire) and another named Ambrosius filius Godrige, in 1279 (in Cambridgeshire).

The earliest recorded versions of names closely similar to 'Goodrick', according to Reaney & Wilson, are a John Godryk (1313) and a James Goodrich (1341), both in Essex.

Chris

[dot.hawkes]

Hi splash

Chris just suggested i look at this but I had already seen his answer and it is pretty comprehensive i think, i agree it is probably a patronymic as stated. :)

[splash_84]

Thanks so much for your answers - thats very interesting!!