NameCensus.

UK surname

Godman

An occupational surname referring to a devout religious individual or God-fearing person.

In the 1881 census there were 329 people recorded with the Godman surname, ranking it #9,107 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 386, ranked #12,202, down from #9,107 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kings Langley and Watford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basildon, Fareham and Horsham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Godman is 489 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.3%.

1881 census count

329

Ranked #9,107

Modern count

386

2016, ranked #12,202

Peak year

1911

489 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Godman had 329 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,107 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 386 in 2016, ranked #12,202.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 489 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Godman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Godman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Godman 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 209 #10,066
1861 historical 306 #8,296
1881 historical 329 #9,107
1891 historical 386 #9,138
1901 historical 423 #9,113
1911 historical 489 #7,959
1997 modern 458 #9,939
1998 modern 462 #10,201
1999 modern 481 #9,958
2000 modern 452 #10,394
2001 modern 445 #10,327
2002 modern 440 #10,638
2003 modern 429 #10,684
2004 modern 432 #10,658
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 398 #11,304
2007 modern 404 #11,290
2008 modern 399 #11,494
2009 modern 401 #11,712
2010 modern 411 #11,723
2011 modern 400 #11,865
2012 modern 395 #11,836
2013 modern 393 #12,085
2014 modern 401 #11,979
2015 modern 395 #12,015
2016 modern 386 #12,202

Geography

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Where Godmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kings Langley, Watford and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basildon, Fareham, Horsham, Leeds and Croydon. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Kings Langley Hertfordshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Watford Hertfordshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basildon 004 Basildon
2 Fareham 012 Fareham
3 Horsham 005 Horsham
4 Leeds 029 Leeds
5 Croydon 042 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Godman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Godman

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Godman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Godman 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Godman is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Godman 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

Godman falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Godman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Godman

The surname Godman is of English origin, dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "God" and "mann," literally meaning "a man of God" or "a godly man." The name was likely bestowed upon individuals who were devout or worked in religious professions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a William Godman is mentioned. In the 13th century, a Johannes Godman is listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1275.

The Godman name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire during the medieval period. Some variations in spelling included Godeman, Godemon, and Godmund.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing this surname was John Godman, who served as the Sheriff of London in 1348. He is mentioned in various records from that time, including the City of London's Letter Books.

During the 16th century, the Godman name was found in the village of Wootton, near Woodstock in Oxfordshire. One of the earliest recorded examples from this area is Robert Godman, who was born around 1520 and served as a church warden in Wootton.

Another significant historical figure was William Godman, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who lived from 1580 to 1652. He played a prominent role in the local community and left a substantial estate upon his death.

In the 17th century, the Godman family had connections to the village of Wormingford in Essex. A notable member was John Godman, born in 1612, who served as the rector of Wormingford from 1642 until his death in 1678.

The 18th century saw the rise of Thomas Godman, a successful businessman and philanthropist from London, who lived from 1720 to 1798. He made significant contributions to various charitable causes during his lifetime.

As the centuries progressed, the Godman surname spread to other parts of England and beyond, with individuals bearing the name making their mark in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Godman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Godman 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. Middlesex leads with 105 Godmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.27x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 105 3.27x
Hertfordshire 89 40.24x
Kent 33 3.01x
Sussex 23 4.25x
Surrey 19 1.22x
Yorkshire 15 0.47x
Buckinghamshire 13 6.70x
Norfolk 6 1.22x
Caernarfonshire 3 2.31x
Lancashire 3 0.08x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.67x
Bedfordshire 2 1.20x
Berkshire 2 0.83x
Devon 2 0.30x
Durham 2 0.21x
Essex 2 0.32x
Leicestershire 2 0.56x
Shropshire 2 0.72x
Gloucestershire 1 0.16x
Monmouthshire 1 0.43x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 26 Godmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.36x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 26 8.36x
Hammersmith London 23 29.10x
Grange Gillingham 22 4489.80x
Watford 21 122.45x
Kings Langley 19 1180.12x
Aldenham 10 497.51x
St Albans St Stephen 10 518.13x
Bromley London 9 12.75x
Hampstead London 9 18.01x
Abbots Langley 8 243.16x
Barlavington 8 4000.00x
Kensington London 8 4.48x
St Albans 8 176.60x
Itchingfield 7 1458.33x
Iver 7 280.00x
Deptford St Paul 6 7.10x
Hunslet 6 12.10x
Lambeth 6 2.14x
St Pancras London 6 2.32x
Great Marlow 5 95.42x
Great Smeaton 5 2380.95x
Hastings St Mary In The 5 43.33x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 5 33.76x
St George Hanover Square 5 8.84x
Beddington 4 66.12x
Berkhampstead 4 80.48x
St Albans St Peter 4 53.62x
Whitechapel London 4 12.65x
East Barnet 3 68.34x
Llangian 3 250.00x
Preston 3 2.94x
St Marylebone London 3 1.75x
Bermondsey 2 2.09x
Chatham 2 6.64x
Cruden 2 52.22x
Hascombe 2 416.67x
Knighton 2 99.50x
Leeds 2 1.11x
Luton 2 6.95x
New Windsor 2 24.69x
Penge 2 9.76x
Poplar London 2 3.30x
St Luke London 2 3.89x
Storrington 2 135.14x
Westminster St Margaret 2 12.92x
Westoe 2 3.70x
Wombridge 2 58.48x
Aldbury 1 100.00x
Battersea 1 0.85x
Bexley 1 10.33x
Bideford 1 13.97x
Bovingdon 1 86.21x
Chelsea London 1 1.03x
Churchill 1 384.62x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.32x
Cocking 1 158.73x
Darenth 1 59.17x
Edgbaston 1 3.99x
Egham 1 10.42x
Erith 1 9.27x
Exeter St Thomas The 1 14.68x
Friern Barnet 1 14.14x
Godalming 1 10.16x
Hackney London 1 0.56x
Longborough 1 144.93x
Malpas 1 285.71x
Nether Hallam 1 2.32x
North Wootton 1 277.78x
Owthorne 1 166.67x
Pinner 1 35.59x
St Clement Danes London 1 15.06x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 12.94x
West Ham 1 0.72x
Woodford 1 13.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 12
Mary 12
Eliza 10
Emma 9
Jane 9
Alice 8
Caroline 6
Emily 6
Harriet 6
Annie 5
Ellen 4
Fanny 4
Ada 3
Ann 3
Clara 3
Frances 3
Harriett 3
Martha 3
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Georgianna 2
Gertrude 2
Hannah 2
Rosa 2
Ruth 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Betsy 1
Dorcas 1
Elisabeth 1
Emely 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Isabelle 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Lovey 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Malvina 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
George 13
John 11
Arthur 7
Henry 6
Thomas 6
Charles 5
Joseph 5
Richard 5
Frederick 4
James 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Arther 1
Berty 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
Chas.P. 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Fredk.Thos. 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Jabez 1
Josiah 1
Lawrence 1
Lewis 1
Matthew 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1
Sherard 1
Silas 1
Stephen 1
Thos.John 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Godman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Godman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 329 people were recorded with the Godman surname. That placed it at #9,107 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Godman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 386 in 2016. That gives Godman a modern rank of #12,202.

What does the Godman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a devout religious individual or God-fearing person.

What does the Godman map show?

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