NameCensus.

UK surname

Godard

A French occupational surname derived from the Old French word "godart" meaning "keeper of livestock, cowherd."

In the 1881 census there were 166 people recorded with the Godard surname, ranking it #14,496 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, down from #14,496 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Hove and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham and Chelmsford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Godard is 377 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.0%.

1881 census count

166

Ranked #14,496

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

1851

377 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 1911

Key insights

  • Godard had 166 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,496 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 377 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Godard surname distribution map

The map shows where the Godard surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Godard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Godard over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 377 #6,334
1861 historical 281 #8,921
1881 historical 166 #14,496
1891 historical 183 #15,918
1901 historical 108 #21,836
1911 historical 102 #22,465
1997 modern 55 #32,114
1998 modern 64 #31,562
1999 modern 66 #31,509
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 54 #32,583
2002 modern 53 #33,021
2003 modern 48 #33,533
2004 modern 60 #32,684
2005 modern 67 #32,196
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 87 #30,666
2008 modern 92 #30,286
2009 modern 87 #31,489
2010 modern 92 #31,366
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 100 #30,258
2013 modern 100 #30,773
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 103 #30,444
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

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Where Godards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Hove, Lambeth, Bolsover and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham and Chelmsford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 St Pancras London (North Districts)
2 Hove Sussex
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Bolsover Derbyshire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 017 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Stockton-on-Tees 009 Stockton-on-Tees
3 County Durham 046 County Durham
4 Stockton-on-Tees 020 Stockton-on-Tees
5 Chelmsford 020 Chelmsford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Godard

These lists show first names that appear often with the Godard surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Godard

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Godard, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Godard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Godard household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Godard is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Godard is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Godard falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Godard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Godard, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Godard

The surname GODARD originated in France during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French given name "Godard" or "Godhart," which itself comes from the Germanic elements "god" (meaning "god") and "hard" (meaning "hardy" or "brave"). This name was likely given to a child with the hope that they would grow up to be god-fearing and courageous.

The earliest recorded instances of the GODARD surname date back to the 12th century in various regions of northern France, such as Normandy, Picardy, and the Île-de-France. In some ancient records, the name was spelled slightly differently, such as "Goudard" or "Godart."

One of the earliest known bearers of the GODARD name was Jehan Godard, a merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Rouen in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Renaud Godard, a French knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War during the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the GODARD surname began to appear in records from other parts of Europe, such as England and Switzerland, likely due to migration and trade. One prominent individual from this era was Jean Godard (c. 1455-1528), a Swiss Renaissance scholar and humanist who taught at the University of Basel.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, several GODARD families established themselves in various parts of France, including Burgundy and Brittany. One notable member of this era was René Godard (1564-1633), a French lawyer and judge who served as a counselor in the Parlement of Dijon.

In the 18th century, the GODARD surname continued to spread throughout France and other parts of Europe. One famous bearer of the name was Jean-Baptiste Godard (1775-1825), a French architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Palais Brongniart.

As the GODARD name travelled across Europe and beyond, it evolved into various spellings and variations, such as Goddard, Godar, and Godart. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in its French heritage and the concepts of divine protection and bravery.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Godard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Godard surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Sussex leads with 36 Godards recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.27x.

County Total Index
Sussex 36 13.27x
Middlesex 29 1.80x
Yorkshire 15 0.94x
Surrey 10 1.28x
Buckinghamshire 9 9.25x
Worcestershire 9 4.28x
Lancashire 8 0.42x
Leicestershire 8 4.48x
Staffordshire 7 1.29x
Berkshire 6 4.97x
Gloucestershire 5 1.58x
Lincolnshire 4 1.55x
Hampshire 3 0.91x
Northamptonshire 3 1.98x
Essex 2 0.63x
Kent 2 0.36x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.92x
Suffolk 2 1.02x
Brecknockshire 1 3.11x
Denbighshire 1 1.65x
Devon 1 0.30x
Dorset 1 0.95x
Durham 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 17 Godards recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.06x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 17 31.06x
Thurgoland 9 833.33x
Leicester St Margaret 8 18.39x
Tibberton 8 4210.53x
Portslade 7 421.69x
St Pancras London 7 5.40x
Hove 6 50.38x
Lambeth 5 3.56x
Little Marlow 5 925.93x
St George Hanover Square 5 17.63x
Bishops Cleeve 4 500.00x
Bold 4 851.06x
Hulme 4 10.03x
Paddington London 4 6.76x
St Marylebone London 4 4.66x
Upton Cum Chalvey 4 103.09x
Westbourne 4 296.30x
Mile End Old Town London 3 8.76x
Pytchley 3 967.74x
St Nicholas 3 1578.95x
Barnby On Don 2 666.67x
Brewood 2 127.39x
Burslem 2 12.85x
Deptford St Paul 2 4.72x
Eastbourne 2 16.01x
Great Grimsby 2 12.25x
Hungerford 2 122.70x
Hurley 2 317.46x
Kensington London 2 2.24x
Reading St Giles 2 16.88x
Stainland Cum Old 2 73.26x
Acton 1 10.60x
Aslockton 1 454.55x
Barnsley 1 6.08x
Bermondsey 1 2.09x
Bronllys 1 588.24x
Childerditch 1 833.33x
Cotgrave 1 222.22x
Croydon 1 2.30x
Doncaster 1 8.58x
Eckington 1 270.27x
Evenwood Barony 1 61.35x
Handsworth 1 7.47x
Horncastle 1 37.59x
Islington London 1 0.64x
Kingston On Thames 1 5.31x
Minchinhampton 1 39.84x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.87x
Poole St James 1 25.19x
Rickinghall Superior 1 322.58x
Ruabon 1 11.96x
S Elmham All Sts St 1 833.33x
Shoreditch London 1 1.43x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 3.09x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 14.35x
St Benedict Lincoln 1 285.71x
Uttoxeter 1 35.97x
Wednesbury 1 7.36x
West Ham 1 1.43x
Wimbledon 1 11.36x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Godard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 8
Ellen 6
Elizabeth 5
Emily 5
Sarah 5
Florence 4
Jane 4
Ann 3
Annie 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Kate 3
Emma 2
Harriet 2
Maria 2
Winifred 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Charity 1
Charlotte 1
Christiana 1
Clara 1
Deborah 1
Doranda 1
Ella 1
Fanny 1
Girondes 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Marie 1
Maud 1
Norah 1
Rose 1
Roseann 1
Sapphira 1
Sophia 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Godard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Godard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Godard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 166 people were recorded with the Godard surname. That placed it at #14,496 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Godard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Godard a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Godard surname mean?

A French occupational surname derived from the Old French word "godart" meaning "keeper of livestock, cowherd."

What does the Godard map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Godard bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.