UK surname
A variant of the French occupational surname "Gaudier", referring to someone who made woad dye.
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Godier surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 75, ranked #33,377, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Christ Church Spitalfields, St Leonard Shoreditch and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Godier is 118 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.0%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
75
2016, ranked #33,377
Peak year
1901
118 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Godier surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Godier surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 76 | #24,114 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 118 | #20,721 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 88 | #28,611 |
| 1998 | modern | 96 | #28,188 |
| 1999 | modern | 92 | #28,833 |
| 2000 | modern | 91 | #28,952 |
| 2001 | modern | 89 | #28,932 |
| 2002 | modern | 92 | #29,040 |
| 2003 | modern | 85 | #29,877 |
| 2004 | modern | 84 | #30,244 |
| 2005 | modern | 74 | #31,522 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 80 | #31,527 |
| 2008 | modern | 80 | #31,833 |
| 2009 | modern | 81 | #32,172 |
| 2010 | modern | 83 | #32,396 |
| 2011 | modern | 73 | #33,230 |
| 2012 | modern | 75 | #33,263 |
| 2013 | modern | 78 | #33,215 |
| 2014 | modern | 79 | #33,205 |
| 2015 | modern | 74 | #33,487 |
| 2016 | modern | 75 | #33,377 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Christ Church Spitalfields, St Leonard Shoreditch, St Dunstan Stepney, St Mary Stratford-le-Bow and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | St Mary Stratford-le-Bow | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Godier surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Godier, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Godier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Godier household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Godier is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Godier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Godier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Godier originated in France during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "godier," which referred to a manufacturer or seller of knives and daggers. This occupation was particularly prevalent in the region of Normandy, where the name first emerged.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Godier can be found in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Pierre de Préaux, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions a certain Radulfus Godier, who was a resident of the village of Préaux in Normandy.
Another notable historical figure bearing the surname Godier was Jean Godier, a French architect and sculptor who lived in the 16th century (1510-1564). He was best known for his work on the Château de Chambord, one of the most iconic Renaissance châteaux in the Loire Valley.
In the 17th century, the name Godier was associated with a family of tanners and leather merchants from the town of Dijon in Burgundy. One member of this family, Nicolas Godier (1620-1687), achieved recognition as a skilled artisan and was granted a coat of arms by King Louis XIV in recognition of his contributions to the local economy.
During the 18th century, a certain Pierre Godier (1701-1778) made a name for himself as a renowned engraver and printmaker in Paris. His intricate etchings and engravings depicting scenes from French history and mythology were highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts of the time.
Another notable figure with the surname Godier was Marie-Thérèse Godier (1775-1856), a French artist and painter who specialized in portraiture and historical scenes. She was one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition and was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1808.
While the Godier surname has its roots in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through emigration and migration patterns. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval craftsmen and artisans of Normandy and Burgundy, who played a significant role in the cultural and economic life of these regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Godier surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 59 Godiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 59 | 9.92x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.35x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.67x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 34 Godiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 131.58x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 34 | 131.58x |
| Shoreditch London | 17 | 65.94x |
| Hackney London | 4 | 11.99x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 14.25x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 2 | 15.80x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.00x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 2.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Godier surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Godier surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Godier households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Silk Weaver | 5 |
| Fishmonger | 3 |
| Fish Salesman | 2 |
| Help | 2 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Carmans Boy | 1 |
| Cooper | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Engine? Worker | 1 |
| Formerly Servant | 1 |
| Gun Screwer | 1 |
| Iron Safe Maker | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Ivory & Bone Turner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Leather Worker | 1 |
| Numerical Printer | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Silk Weaveress | 1 |
| Warehouseman Silk Warehouse (M...) | 1 |
| Weaver | 1 |
| Wine Porter | 1 |
| Wood Cutter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Godier surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 75 in 2016. That gives Godier a modern rank of #33,377.
A variant of the French occupational surname "Gaudier", referring to someone who made woad dye.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Godier bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.