Godfrey is a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

and an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

. The given name is derived from the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...

''Godefroy'', a name composed of the elements: the first being either ''god'' ("god") or ''gōd'' ("good"); the second being ''fred'' ("peace"). The name was brought to

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

by settlers from

Normandy Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...

, the

Low Countries The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...

, and

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. The name is rendered '' Goraidh'', ''Goiridh'' in

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

. In some cases the surname is derived from the

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

personal name ''Godfrey'', ''Godefrey''; or the Old French ''Godefrei'', ''Godefroi'', ''Godefrois''; or the Continental Germanic ''Godefrid''. In other cases, the surname is derived from the

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

''Mac Gothraidh'' or ''Ó Gothraidh''. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1073.

Given name

Medieval

Godfrey of Amiens Godfrey of Amiens (French: Geoffroy d'Amiens) (1066–1115) was a bishop of Amiens. He is a saint in the Catholic Church. Life Godfrey was born to Frodon his father in 1066 in Moulincourt, in the Diocese of Soissons. When his mother died, his ...

(1066–1115), bishop of Amiens * Godfrey of Bath (died 1135), bishop of Bath *

Godfrey of Bouillon Godfrey of Bouillon (, , , ; 18 September 1060 – 18 July 1100) was a French nobleman and pre-eminent leader of the First Crusade. First ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from 1099 to 1100, he avoided the title of king, preferring that of princ ...

(1060–1100), leader of the First Crusade, first king of Jerusalem *

Godfrey of Brabant Godfrey of Brabant (died July 11, 1302 in Kortrijk), was Lord of Aarschot, between 1284 and his death in 1302, and Lord of Vierzon, between 1277 and 1302. Biography Godfrey was the third son of Henry III, Duke of Brabant and Adelaide of Burgun ...

(died 1302), Belgian noble * Godfrey of Cambrai (11th century), prior and poet * Godfrey of Chichester (11th century), bishop of Chichester *

Godfrey of Esch Godfrey (Geoffrey) (''Filius Fredelonis, unus de collateralibus ducis Godefridi)'' (died after 1098), Lord of Esch and crusader, son of Fredelon of Esch. Godfrey was brother to Henry of Esch. His family held the castle of Esch-sur-Sûre in the ...

(11th century), Lord of Esch and crusader *

Godfrey of Fontaines Godfrey of Fontaines (born sometime before 1250, died 29 October 1306 or 1309), in Latin Godefridus de Fontibus, was a scholastic philosopher and theologian, designated by the title Doctor Venerandus. He made contributions to a diverse range of sub ...

(13th century), scholastic philosopher and theologian * Godfrey (patriarch of Aquileia) (died 1194) * Godfrey of Saint Victor (c. 1125 – c. 1195), French monk and theologian *

Godfrey of Viterbo Godfrey of ViterboAlso called Geoffrey of Viterbo, in Italian ''Goffredo da Viterbo'' and in German ''Gottfried von Viterbo'', from Latin ''Gaufridus'', ''Godefridus'' or ''Gotefredus Viterbensis''. (c. 1120 – c. 1196) was a Roman Catholic chroni ...

(c. 1120 – c. 1196), Roman Catholic chronicler *

Godred Crovan Godred Crovan (died 1095), known in Gaelic as Gofraid Crobán, Gofraid Meránach, and Gofraid Méránach, was a Norse-Gaelic ruler of the kingdoms of Dublin and the Isles. Although his precise parentage has not completely been proven, he was c ...

(died 1095), King of Dublin and the Isles *

Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill (died 1075) was a late eleventh-century King of Dublin. Although the precise identities of his father and grandfather are uncertain, Gofraid was probably a kinsman of his royal predecessor, Echmarcach mac Ragna ...

(died 1075), King of Dublin *

Godfrey van Rhenen Godfried or Godfrey van Rhenen (died on 27 May 1178) was a bishop of Utrecht from 1156 to 1178. Godfrey was appointed with support from Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor in 1159 to deal with a revolt of citizens and his own ministers as a conseque ...

(died 1178), bishop of Utrecht * Godfrey of Saint-Omer (c. 1100 – 1160), knight

Modern

* Godfrey (born 1969), stage name of Godfrey Danchimah * Godfrey Agnew (1913–1995), British civil servant *

Godfrey Argent Bernard Godfrey Argent (6 February 1937 – 1 June 2006) was an English photographer notable for his black and white portraits of royalty, politicians, aristocrats and celebrities. Early life Argent was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, the son of mot ...

(1937–2006), English photographer *

Godfrey Ashby Godfrey William Ernest Candler Ashby (born 6 November 1930) is a British Anglican bishop, theologian, and academic. From 1980 to 1985, he was the eighth Bishop of St John's in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. From 1988 to 1995, he w ...

(born 1930), British Anglican bishop, theologian and academic * Godfrey Baldacchino (born 1960), Maltese-Canadian social scientist *

Godfrey Cambridge Godfrey MacArthur Cambridge (February 26, 1933 – November 29, 1976) was an American stand-up comic and actor. Alongside Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, and Nipsey Russell, he was acclaimed by ''Time'' in 1965 as "one of the country's foremost celeb ...

(1933–1976), American comedian * Godfrey Darbishire (1853–1889), English-born Welsh rugby union forward *

Godfrey Evans Thomas Godfrey Evans (18 August 1920 – 3 May 1999) was an English cricketer who played for Kent and England. Described by ''Wisden'' as 'arguably the best wicket-keeper the game has ever seen', Evans collected 219 dismissals in 91 Test match ...

(1920–1999), English cricketer *

Godfrey Farrugia Godfrey Farrugia (born May 4, 1960, in Żebbuġ), is a former Maltese politician, a family doctor, who served as member of the Maltese parliament from 2013 to 2022. He formerly served as the Minister for Health and a Government Whip, of which h ...

(born 1960), Maltese politician * Godfrey Fuchs (1889–1972), German-Canadian soccer player *

Godfrey Gao Godfrey Gao (; 22 September 1984 – 27 November 2019) was a Taiwanese-Canadian model and actor. Described as Asia's first male supermodel, Gao was the first male Asian model to appear in a campaign for Louis Vuitton. As an actor, he was known f ...

(1984–2019), Taiwanese-Canadian model and actor *

Godfrey Douglas Giles Godfrey Douglas Giles (9 November 1857 Karachi - 1 February 1941) was a painter of horses, military scenes and battles, many experienced firsthand while on service with the British Army in India, Afghanistan, Egypt and South Africa. He produced nu ...

(1857–1941), English painter *

Godfrey Goldsborough Godfrey Goldsborough (1548 in Cambridge – 26 May 1604) was a Church of England clergyman and bishop of Gloucester from 1598-1604. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He also served as a Prebendary of Worcester. Career He was born in ...

(1548–1604), English clergyman * Godfrey G. Goodwin (1873–1933), American politician *

Godfrey Grayson Godfrey Ramsey H. Grayson (1913, Birkenhead, Cheshire – 1998, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey) was an English film director. Selected filmography * ''Doctor Morelle'' (1949) * ''Meet Simon Cherry'' (1949) * '' The Adventures of PC 49'' (1949) * ' ...

(1913–1998), English film director *

Godfrey Ho Godfrey Ho (Chinese language: 何志强 or 何致强, born 1948) is a former Hong Kong-based prolific film director and screenwriter, sometimes considered the Ed Wood of Hong Kong cinema. Ho is believed to have directed more than one hundred film ...

(born 1948), Hong Kong film director and screenwriter *

Godfrey Hounsfield Sir Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield (28 August 1919 – 12 August 2004) was an English electrical engineer who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Allan MacLeod Cormack for his part in developing the diagnostic technique of X ...

(1919–2004), English electrical engineer *

Godfrey Huggins Godfrey Martin Huggins, 1st Viscount Malvern (6 July 1883 – 8 May 1971), was a Rhodesian politician and physician. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia from 1933 to 1953 and remained in office as the first Prime Minis ...

(1883–1971), Rhodesian politician and physician *

Godfrey Imhof Alfred Godfrey Imhof (6 May 1911 in St. Giles – 27 August 1963 in Paddington) was a British racing driver in trials, rallies and hill climbing. He was the winner of the 2nd RAC Rally that was held in 1952, driving an Allard-Cadillac J2. Career ...

(1911–1963), English racing driver *

Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki, known as GG Kariuki (1 January 1937 – 30 June 2017) was a Kenyan politician who entered elective politics at independence in 1963. During Kenya's 11th Parliament, he served as Senator representing Laikipia County and one ...

(1937–2017), Kenyan politician * Godfrey Kiprotich (born 1964), Kenyan distance runner *

Godfrey Kneller Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet (born Gottfried Kniller; 8 August 1646 – 19 October 1723), was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to Kingdom of England, English and Br ...

(1646–1723), English portrait painter *

Godfrey Lagden Sir Godfrey Yeatman Lagden (1 September 1851 – 26 June 1934) was a British colonial administrator in Africa. Early life Lagden was born at Yetminster, Dorset, the son of Reverend Richard Dowse Lagden of Balsham House, Cambridgeshire and w ...

(1851–1934), British colonial administrator * Godfrey Edward Madawala (1878-1932), Sri Lankan Sinhala lawyer and politician * Godfrey McCulloch (1640–1697), Scottish politician and murderer *

Godfrey McHugh Godfrey T. McHugh (September 30, 1911 – July 5, 1997) was a United States Air Force general, and served as military aide to President John F. Kennedy. Early years McHugh was born in Brussels, Belgium, to American parents. He received a bacca ...

(1911–1997), United States Air Force general * Godfrey Morse (1846–1911), German-American lawyer *

Godfrey Mwakikagile Godfrey Mwakikagile (born 4 October 1949 in Kigoma) is a prominent Tanzanian scholar and author specialising in African studies. He was also a news reporter for ''The Standard'' (later renamed the '' Daily News'') — the oldest and largest En ...

(born 1949), Tanzanian scholar and author * Godfrey O'Donnell (1939–2020), Northern Irish priest *

Godfrey Reggio Godfrey Reggio (born March 29, 1940) is an American director of experimental documentary films. Life Reggio was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to an old and distinguished Louisiana family descended from Francesco M. de Reggio, an Italian noblem ...

(born 1939), American director of experimental documentary films *

Godfrey A. Rockefeller Godfrey Anderson Rockefeller, Sr. (May 22, 1924 – January 22, 2010) was an American aviator. He was the eldest son of Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller (1899–1983) and Helen Gratz. He is best known for his environmental interests and role in the Wo ...

(1924–2010), American aviator *

Godfrey Vigne Godfrey Thomas Vigne (1 September 1801 – 12 July 1863) was an English amateur cricketer and traveller. Early life Vigne was born on 1 September 1801 at Walthamstow, then in Essex, the eldest son of Thomas Vigne. He entered Harrow School in ...

(1801–1863), English cricketer and traveler * Godfrey Walusimbi (born 1989), Ugandan footballer * Godfrey Zaunbrecher (born 1946), American football player

Fictional characters

* Godfrey Ablewhite, a character in the novel ''

The Moonstone ''The Moonstone'' (1868) by Wilkie Collins is a 19th-century British epistolary novel. It is an early example of the modern detective novel, and established many of the ground rules of the modern genre. The story was serialised in Charles Di ...

'' * Godfrey, a character in ''

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'' is a 2017 action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released on December 1, it is the third installment in ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' and the seventh main en ...

'' * Godfrey, also known as Godric, a character in ''

The Southern Vampire Mysteries ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'', also known as ''The True Blood Novels'' and ''The Sookie Stackhouse Novels'', is a series of books written by bestselling author Charlaine Harris. The first installment, '' Dead Until Dark'' (2001), won the A ...

'' novels by Charlaine Harris *

Gordon Godfrey Glorious Godfrey is a DC Comics supervillain who is part of The Fourth World series of comic books in the early 1970s. Publication history Glorious Godfrey first appeared in ''The Forever People'' #3 (June 1971) and was created by Jack Kirby. ...

, a supporting character and supervillain from

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

* Godfrey, a character in the television series ''Taboo'' * Godfrey, First Elden Lord, a character in the video game ''

Elden Ring is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding provided by fantasy writer George R. R. Martin, it was released for PlayStation 4, PlayS ...

Surname

Albert Earl Godfrey Air Vice-Marshal Albert Earl "Steve" Godfrey MC (27 July 1890 – 1 January 1982) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories while flying for the Royal Flying Corps. He spent the remainder of his ...

(1890–1982), Canadian First World War flying ace *

Ambrose Godfrey Ambrose Godfrey-Hanckwitz FRS (1660 – 15 January 1741), also known as Gottfried Hankwitz, also written Hanckewitz, or Ambrose Godfrey as he preferred to be known, was a German-born British phosphorus manufacturer and apothecary. He was one of ...

(1660–1741), phosphorus manufacturer *

Arthur Godfrey Arthur Morton Godfrey (August 31, 1903 – March 16, 1983) was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname The Old Redhead. At the peak of his success, in the early-to-mid 1950s, Godf ...

(1903–1983), American radio and television broadcaster *

Ben Godfrey Benjamin Matthew Godfrey (born 15 January 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Everton and the England national team. Early and personal life Godfrey was born in York, North Yorkshire, and attended ...

(born 1998), English footballer *

Billie Godfrey Billie Godfrey is an English singer. Background Based in London and Brighton, Godfrey has been a vocalist for many artists and in her own right. She started her career as a radio DJ, playing the kind of music she would later go on to record. ...

(born 1978), English singer *

Bob Godfrey Roland Frederick Godfrey MBE (27 May 1921 – 21 February 2013),Bob Godfrey (footballer), Scottish footballer * Brett Godfrey (born 1963), Australian businessman * Brian Godfrey (1940–2010), Welsh footballer * Charles Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people *

Dan Godfrey Sir Daniel Eyers "Dan" Godfrey (20 June 1868 – 20 July 1939) was a British music conductor and member of a musical dynasty that included his father Daniel Godfrey (1831–1903). His son, also Dan Godfrey, was also a musician, station man ...

(1868–1939), British conductor, son of bandmaster Daniel Godfrey *

Daniel Godfrey (bandmaster) Daniel Godfrey (4 September 1831 – 30 June 1903) was a bandmaster, composer and arranger of compositions for military bands. He was for many years bandmaster of the Grenadier Guards. Life He was born in Westminster in 1831, eldest of four son ...

(1831–1903), British bandmaster and composer * Daniel Strong Godfrey (born 1949), American composer *

DeWitt Godfrey DeWitt Godfrey (born 1960) is an American sculptor, best known for his large abstract constructions of banded steel installed in public sites. Godfrey was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan; he earned a B.A. in art from Y ...

(born 1960), an American modernist sculptor *

Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey (23 December 1621 – 12 October 1678) was an England, English magistrate whose mysterious death caused anti-Catholicism, anti-Catholic uproar in England. Contemporary documents also spell the name Edmundbury Godfrey. E ...

(1621–1678), magistrate murdered in 1678 * Edmund Godfrey-Faussett * Edward Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people *

Frederick Race Godfrey Frederick Race Godfrey (11 May 1828 – 11 September 1910), was a Victorian (Australia) pioneer and politician. Early life Frederic was the fourth son of Colonel John Race Godfrey and Jane Octavia Woodhouse. He was born at Bellary, India on ...

(1828–1910), public figure and politician in Victoria, Australia * George Godfrey (1853–1901), Canadian boxer and world 'colored' heavyweight champion ** Feab S. Williams (1897–1947), American boxer and world 'colored' heavyweight champion (better known as George Godfrey; named after Godfrey) *

Isidore Godfrey Isidore Godfrey OBE (27 September 1900 – 12 September 1977), born Israel Gotfryd, was musical director of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company for 39 years, from 1929 to 1968. He conducted most of the company's performances during that period, excep ...

(1900–1977), conductor *

Kathy Godfrey Kathryn Morton Godfrey ( 1915 – February 4, 1981) was an American talk show host on radio and television and sister of entertainer Arthur Godfrey. She was also known professionally as Kathy Morton. Her first name is sometimes seen spelled Katheri ...

(died 1981), American talk show host on radio and television * Laurie Godfrey (born 1945), American anthropologist * Marjorie Godfrey (1919–2003), Indian politician * Martyn Godfrey (1949–2000), English-Canadian author * Paul Godfrey (born 1939), former president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays * Richard Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people * Robert Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people *

Robert John Godfrey Robert John Godfrey (born 30 July 1947) is a British composer, pianist and a founding member of The Enid. Early career Born on the Leeds Castle estate in Kent, England, Godfrey was privately educated in various prep schools prior to going to Fin ...

(born 1947), British composer, pianist and founder member of The Enid * Steve Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people * Thomas Godfrey, multiple people * Tony Godfrey (footballer) (born 1939), English footballer *

Wilhelmina McAlpin Godfrey Wilhelmina McAlpin Godfrey (August 27, 1914 – May 13, 1994) was an American painter, printmaker and textile artist, art educator and community activist in Buffalo, New York. Biography Godfrey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was ra ...

(1914–1994), American tapestry artist * William Godfrey (disambiguation), multiple people

Citations

Sources

* * * {{given name, type=both Anglicised Irish-language surnames English masculine given names English-language masculine given names English-language surnames French masculine given names Surnames of English origin