NameCensus.

UK surname

Godley

From the Old English god and leah, meaning "dweller in the good meadow" or "dweller in God's meadow."

In the 1881 census there were 950 people recorded with the Godley surname, ranking it #4,069 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,192, ranked #4,998, down from #4,069 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitwell, London parishes and Brighton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, North Lincolnshire and North East Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Godley is 1,433 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.5%.

1881 census count

950

Ranked #4,069

Modern count

1,192

2016, ranked #4,998

Peak year

1911

1,433 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Godley had 950 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,069 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,192 in 2016, ranked #4,998.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,433 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Godley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Godley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Godley 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 614 #4,206
1861 historical 661 #4,058
1881 historical 950 #4,069
1891 historical 1,125 #3,775
1901 historical 1,239 #3,993
1911 historical 1,433 #3,376
1997 modern 1,306 #4,385
1998 modern 1,324 #4,481
1999 modern 1,334 #4,485
2000 modern 1,356 #4,414
2001 modern 1,317 #4,442
2002 modern 1,309 #4,546
2003 modern 1,271 #4,572
2004 modern 1,278 #4,553
2005 modern 1,245 #4,614
2006 modern 1,184 #4,829
2007 modern 1,178 #4,891
2008 modern 1,192 #4,866
2009 modern 1,205 #4,927
2010 modern 1,220 #4,970
2011 modern 1,222 #4,902
2012 modern 1,223 #4,835
2013 modern 1,221 #4,919
2014 modern 1,221 #4,944
2015 modern 1,210 #4,938
2016 modern 1,192 #4,998

Geography

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Where Godleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitwell, London parishes, Brighton and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, North Lincolnshire, North East Derbyshire and Doncaster. 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 Whitwell Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Brighton Sussex
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 001 Bolsover
2 Bolsover 002 Bolsover
3 North Lincolnshire 023 North Lincolnshire
4 North East Derbyshire 014 North East Derbyshire
5 Doncaster 026 Doncaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Godley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Godley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Godley, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Godley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Godley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Godley is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Godley is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Godley falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Godley 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Godley

The surname Godley is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "god" and "leah," which collectively mean "good clearing" or "good meadow." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone residing near a pleasant or fertile clearing in a woodland area.

One of the earliest references to this surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Godlei." This historical record provides valuable insights into the distribution of the name during the Norman conquest of England. The name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire.

In the 13th century, the surname was recorded in various forms, including Godeleye, Godlee, and Godley. These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time, as well as regional spelling differences. The hamlet of Godley in Cheshire, first mentioned in 1284, likely took its name from an early bearer of the surname.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Godley was John Godley, born around 1250 in Cheshire. He was a prominent landowner and is mentioned in several historical documents from the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir John Godley (1556-1640), a renowned military leader who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Godley family established themselves as influential landowners in the county of Derbyshire. Thomas Godley (1608-1679) was a successful merchant and purchased the Whittington Hall estate, which remained in the family's possession for several generations.

Other notable individuals with the surname Godley include John Robert Godley (1814-1861), an influential political figure in New Zealand and the founder of the settlement of Canterbury. He served as the first Superintendent of the Canterbury Province and played a pivotal role in shaping the early development of the region.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Hugh Godley (1847-1928), a British Army officer who served in various campaigns, including the Second Boer War and World War I. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1914 and later served as Governor of Gibraltar.

Throughout history, the surname Godley has been associated with various notable individuals, from landowners and military leaders to political figures and pioneers. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread to various parts of the world, reflecting the fascinating journey of this ancient surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Godley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Godley 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. Yorkshire leads with 237 Godleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.60x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 237 2.60x
Sussex 187 12.04x
Middlesex 83 0.90x
Derbyshire 65 4.51x
Nottinghamshire 51 4.11x
Kent 50 1.59x
Surrey 41 0.91x
Durham 36 1.31x
Hampshire 33 1.75x
Lancashire 30 0.27x
Cheshire 28 1.38x
Lincolnshire 27 1.83x
Oxfordshire 17 2.99x
Essex 15 0.83x
Hertfordshire 12 1.89x
Lanarkshire 6 0.20x
Midlothian 6 0.49x
Warwickshire 6 0.26x
Worcestershire 5 0.42x
Staffordshire 4 0.13x
Angus 1 0.12x
Leicestershire 1 0.10x
Norfolk 1 0.07x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.34x
Somerset 1 0.07x

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 85 Godleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.14x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 85 27.14x
Whitwell 40 698.08x
Brightside Bierlow 29 16.20x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 19 58.28x
Nether Hallam 18 14.58x
Finningley 16 1344.54x
Lambeth 15 1.87x
St Marylebone London 15 3.05x
Stockton On Tees 15 11.36x
Barnsley 14 14.87x
Hurstpierpoint 14 162.04x
Rotherham 14 27.22x
Sheffield 14 4.82x
Ecclesfield 13 19.43x
Hyde 13 21.67x
Ecclesall Bierlow 12 6.47x
Hunshelf 12 268.46x
Rotherfield 12 87.78x
St George Hanover Square 12 7.40x
Great Grimsby 11 11.77x
Harwich St Nicholas 11 78.35x
Lingfield 11 125.86x
St George In East London 11 12.70x
Worksop 11 29.88x
Bishopwearmouth 10 4.25x
Newington 10 2.94x
Worsley 10 14.85x
Henley On Thames 9 77.25x
Middlesbrough 9 7.57x
Southampton All Sts 9 27.79x
Wadhurst 9 88.32x
Eckington 8 22.84x
Newark Upon Trent 8 17.93x
Penshurst 8 151.52x
Speldhurst 8 50.00x
Wombwell 8 30.06x
Abbots Langley 7 74.23x
Basingstoke 7 32.24x
Portslade 7 73.76x
Rotherfield Greys 7 116.28x
Shoreditch London 7 1.75x
Wortley In Bramley 7 9.69x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 7.06x
Hastings St Mary In The 6 18.12x
Haughton 6 37.64x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 6 53.96x
Medomsley 6 46.95x
New Monkland 6 6.82x
Newbold Dunston 6 43.80x
Newton In Ashton Under 6 29.91x
Rochester St Margaret 6 18.11x
Sevenoaks 6 23.56x
Southampton St Mary 6 5.06x
Spalding 6 20.53x
St Pancras London 6 0.81x
Thurnscoe 6 769.23x
Tickhill 6 103.09x
Clee With Weelsby 5 15.51x
Harwood 5 87.57x
Hitchin 5 17.45x
Hove 5 7.34x
Kings Norton 5 4.64x
Knaresborough 5 34.89x
Lee 5 10.96x
Lockwood 5 15.23x
Mayfield 5 54.47x
Pyecombe 5 462.96x
Spitalfields London 5 7.22x
Stoke Newington London 5 6.97x
Amport 4 186.92x
Brampton 4 19.85x
Broadwater 4 11.23x
Chatham 4 4.63x
Darlington 4 3.78x
Dukinfield 4 4.26x
Eltham 4 21.73x
Falmer 4 219.78x
Kimberworth 4 7.90x
Portsea 4 1.08x
Preston 4 14.75x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 60
George 44
John 42
Henry 24
Thomas 24
Charles 19
Frederick 14
James 14
Alfred 13
Richard 12
Arthur 11
Edward 11
Harry 10
Joseph 10
Robert 10
Herbert 7
Fred 6
Albert 5
Frank 5
Percy 5
Samuel 5
Francis 4
Geo. 4
Tom 4
Oliver 3
Stephen 3
Chas. 2
David 2
Emanuel 2
Ernest 2
Geo.Hy. 2
Matthew 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Allan 1
Allen 1
Bertram 1
Chas.L. 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Eligha 1
Elijah 1
H.J. 1
Henery 1
Hezekiah 1
Hugh 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Godley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Godley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 950 people were recorded with the Godley surname. That placed it at #4,069 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Godley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,192 in 2016. That gives Godley a modern rank of #4,998.

What does the Godley surname mean?

From the Old English god and leah, meaning "dweller in the good meadow" or "dweller in God's meadow."

What does the Godley map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Godley 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.