NameCensus.

UK surname

Godward

A surname referring to one who traveled towards or lived near a church or temple.

In the 1881 census there were 180 people recorded with the Godward surname, ranking it #13,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 249, ranked #16,847, down from #13,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Nottingham St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Middlesbrough, Rochford and Southend-on-Sea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Godward is 267 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.3%.

1881 census count

180

Ranked #13,735

Modern count

249

2016, ranked #16,847

Peak year

1998

267 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Godward had 180 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016, ranked #16,847.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Godward surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Godward surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Godward 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 180 #13,735
1891 historical 205 #14,649
1901 historical 256 #12,934
1911 historical 261 #12,526
1997 modern 256 #15,034
1998 modern 267 #15,016
1999 modern 259 #15,433
2000 modern 262 #15,272
2001 modern 263 #14,999
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 250 #15,605
2004 modern 233 #16,471
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 242 #16,097
2007 modern 239 #16,449
2008 modern 239 #16,583
2009 modern 252 #16,323
2010 modern 254 #16,604
2011 modern 241 #17,057
2012 modern 232 #17,401
2013 modern 243 #17,114
2014 modern 247 #17,035
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 249 #16,847

Geography

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Where Godwards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Nottingham St Mary, St Marylebone and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Middlesbrough, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and South Hams. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Middlesbrough 010 Middlesbrough
2 Rochford 003 Rochford
3 Southend-on-Sea 006 Southend-on-Sea
4 Thurrock 003 Thurrock
5 South Hams 005 South Hams

Forenames

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First names often paired with Godward

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Godward

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Godward surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Godward household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Godward is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Godward 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

Godward 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 Godward 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 Godward, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Godward

The surname Godward has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to derive from Old English personal names that combine "god," meaning "God," and "weard," meaning "guardian" or "protector." This suggests that the name originally signified "God's guardian" or "protector of God."

The name was most commonly found in regions such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, areas known for their rich linguistic history and evolving dialects. Similar spellings in historical records include Godwin, Godric, and Godfry, which all share the same root in the Old English word "god."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and notable citizens of the time. The name appears inconsistently, reflecting the evolving nature of surname records during the period, but mentions of individuals with names like Godwin and Godric provide critical links to the development of the Godward surname.

Famous people bearing the surname Godward include John William Godward (1861-1922), an English painter from the Victorian neoclassicist movement. His work was distinguished by its romantic portrayal of ancient Mediterranean life. Another notable figure is George Godward (1830-1903), who served as an influential figure in the Yorkshire wool industry during the 19th century, helping to modernize textile manufacturing methods.

Further back, records from the year 1273 mention a Humphrey Godward in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, indicating the surname's presence in the region during the medieval period. Another early example includes Richard Godward, listed in the 1379 Poll Tax records of Yorkshire, which help trace the surname's geographic and social mobility through the centuries.

A more recent historical figure is the chemist Elinor Godward, born in 1894 and known for her pioneering research in early 20th century British science circles. Another noted personality, Thomas Godward, an early 19th-century inventor, made substantial contributions to agricultural machinery, enhancing farming efficiency in rural England.

The surname Godward, with its deep historical roots and significant cultural impact, provides a fascinating insight into the social, linguistic, and genealogical evolution of English surnames. Each individual bearing the name contributed uniquely to its rich history, providing a tapestry of interconnected lives and legacies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Godward families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Godward 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. Essex leads with 52 Godwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.92x.

County Total Index
Essex 52 14.92x
Surrey 34 3.95x
Middlesex 23 1.30x
Nottinghamshire 21 8.83x
Yorkshire 19 1.09x
Worcestershire 7 3.04x
Kent 5 0.83x
Derbyshire 4 1.45x
Gloucestershire 4 1.16x
Suffolk 4 1.86x
Clackmannanshire 3 20.58x
Cheshire 2 0.51x
Royal Navy 1 4.75x
Sussex 1 0.34x
Warwickshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Prittlewell in Essex leads with 31 Godwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 641.82x.

Place Total Index
Prittlewell 31 641.82x
Camberwell 21 18.62x
Nottingham St Mary 14 22.75x
Southchurch 8 2500.00x
Wakefield 8 59.57x
Islington London 7 4.09x
Kings Norton 7 33.87x
Merton 7 463.58x
Radford 7 57.90x
Almondbury 4 47.28x
Barling 4 1818.18x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 4 219.78x
Bromley London 4 10.30x
Chelsea London 4 7.52x
Cheltenham 4 14.98x
Colchester St Giles 4 116.28x
St Marylebone London 4 4.24x
Streatham 4 30.53x
Adwick On Dearne 3 2000.00x
Deptford St Paul 3 6.46x
Middleton 3 1000.00x
Penistone 3 220.59x
Tillicoultry 3 92.59x
West Ham 3 3.90x
Disley Stanley 2 99.50x
Heston 2 34.13x
Northfleet 2 37.66x
Aston 1 0.82x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.30x
Charlwood 1 121.95x
Great Wakering 1 128.21x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 15.75x
Kensington London 1 1.02x
Lambeth 1 0.65x
Leeds 1 1.01x
Royal Navy 1 5.56x
South Shoebury 1 71.43x
Stoke By Nayland 1 144.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 6
Emily 4
Florence 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Rebecca 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Eva 2
Maria 2
Thyrza 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Clara 1
Emely 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Irene 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Mar. 1
Marian 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Nelly 1
Phoebe 1
Ponisna 1
Rose 1
Sarar 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 13
George 9
Arthur 8
Charles 7
William 7
Edward 4
Alfred 3
Frederic 3
Henry 3
Joseph 3
Thomas 3
Wm. 3
Ambrose 2
Daniel 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Richard 2
Abraham 1
Allen 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Federick 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Hy. 1
Infant 1
James 1
Leonard 1
Oswald 1
Rot. 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Godward surname: questions and answers

How common was the Godward surname in 1881?

In 1881, 180 people were recorded with the Godward surname. That placed it at #13,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Godward surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016. That gives Godward a modern rank of #16,847.

What does the Godward surname mean?

A surname referring to one who traveled towards or lived near a church or temple.

What does the Godward map show?

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