NameCensus.

UK surname

Goodbody

A surname indicating the bearer possessed an attractive or appealing physique.

In the 1881 census there were 339 people recorded with the Goodbody surname, ranking it #8,948 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 432, ranked #11,135, down from #8,948 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lunan, East Hampshire and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goodbody is 556 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.4%.

1881 census count

339

Ranked #8,948

Modern count

432

2016, ranked #11,135

Peak year

1911

556 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goodbody had 339 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,948 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 432 in 2016, ranked #11,135.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 556 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Goodbody surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goodbody surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goodbody 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 171 #11,730
1861 historical 201 #11,949
1881 historical 339 #8,948
1891 historical 407 #8,750
1901 historical 507 #7,969
1911 historical 556 #7,221
1997 modern 456 #9,971
1998 modern 497 #9,638
1999 modern 484 #9,917
2000 modern 479 #9,951
2001 modern 474 #9,847
2002 modern 498 #9,664
2003 modern 477 #9,815
2004 modern 453 #10,251
2005 modern 433 #10,516
2006 modern 427 #10,683
2007 modern 432 #10,682
2008 modern 424 #10,952
2009 modern 437 #10,947
2010 modern 441 #11,087
2011 modern 429 #11,197
2012 modern 416 #11,372
2013 modern 439 #11,052
2014 modern 446 #10,981
2015 modern 440 #11,017
2016 modern 432 #11,135

Geography

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Where Goodbodys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, St John Hackney and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lunan, East Hampshire, South Norfolk, Babergh 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lunan Angus
2 East Hampshire 011 East Hampshire
3 South Norfolk 011 South Norfolk
4 Babergh 010 Babergh
5 Croydon 029 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goodbody

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goodbody

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goodbody, 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 Goodbody surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Goodbody 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Goodbody 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

Goodbody is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Goodbody

The surname Goodbody has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "god" and "bodig," meaning "good" and "body" or "person," respectively. This combination suggests that the name may have originally been used to describe someone with a strong or attractive physical appearance.

One of the earliest known references to the name Goodbody can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which mentions a John Godbody. This document provides evidence that the name was in use during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Godebodi and Godebodye, reflecting the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain entries of individuals with similar surnames, such as Godebodi and Godebode, further supporting the antiquity of the name.

The Goodbody surname is closely associated with the county of Worcestershire, where it is believed to have originated. However, as with many surnames, it eventually spread to other parts of England and beyond.

Notable individuals with the surname Goodbody include Sir William Goodbody (1567-1639), a prominent merchant and landowner in London, and Thomas Goodbody (1760-1836), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

Another significant figure was Sir James Goodbody (1838-1915), an Irish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Goodbody textile company in Dublin. He played a pivotal role in the development of the Irish linen industry and was knighted for his contributions.

In the realm of literature, Olive Goodbody (1890-1968) was an English novelist and children's author known for her works set in rural England, including "The Windyridge Series" and "The Old Village."

Furthermore, Charles Goodbody (1897-1982) was a notable British architect who worked extensively on the restoration and preservation of historic buildings, particularly in the city of Bath.

These examples demonstrate the wide-ranging achievements and contributions of individuals bearing the surname Goodbody throughout history, solidifying its place in the annals of English and Irish genealogy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goodbody families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goodbody 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 108 Goodbodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.28x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 108 3.28x
Norfolk 80 15.78x
Yorkshire 45 1.38x
Surrey 25 1.56x
Lancashire 17 0.43x
Essex 14 2.15x
Kent 13 1.16x
Cambridgeshire 10 4.79x
Hampshire 6 0.89x
Glamorgan 5 0.87x
Durham 4 0.41x
Lincolnshire 2 0.38x
Oxfordshire 2 0.98x
Sussex 2 0.36x
Warwickshire 2 0.24x
Bedfordshire 1 0.59x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.53x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town London in Middlesex leads with 16 Goodbodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.80x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town London 16 22.80x
Ovington 16 5000.00x
West Ham 14 9.74x
Hackney London 12 6.49x
Swinton In Rotherham 12 138.89x
West Rudham 12 2264.15x
Westminster St John 12 29.89x
Great Crosby 10 93.72x
St Pancras London 10 3.77x
Swaffham 10 242.72x
Bowling 9 27.81x
Bradford 9 11.38x
Bromley London 9 12.41x
Heigham 9 33.08x
Lambeth 9 3.13x
Maidstone 9 26.86x
Clapham 8 19.41x
Shoreditch London 8 5.60x
St Luke London 8 15.13x
Crimplesham 7 2058.82x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 7 76.84x
Battersea 6 4.95x
Islington London 6 1.88x
Manningham 6 14.91x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.49x
Grimston 5 390.63x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 5 32.85x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 9.06x
Salford 5 4.35x
Barnard Castle 4 82.47x
Limehouse London 4 11.05x
Spitalfields London 4 16.13x
St Marylebone London 4 2.27x
St Thomas Winchester 4 83.86x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.86x
Deptford St Paul 3 3.46x
Edmonton 3 11.30x
Kimberworth 3 16.55x
Mileham 3 545.45x
Norwich St Benedict 3 132.74x
Sculcoates 3 5.79x
St Andrewthe Less 3 12.57x
Swanton Abbott 3 526.32x
Birkdale 2 20.20x
Birmingham 2 0.72x
Brighton 2 1.78x
Central Wingland 2 740.74x
Nafferton 2 143.88x
Neithrop 2 29.24x
South Lynn 2 34.97x
Betchworth 1 50.51x
Biggleswade 1 17.89x
Christchurch 1 6.83x
Coltishall 1 92.59x
Croydon 1 1.12x
Downham Market 1 28.74x
Gillingham 1 4.31x
Happisburgh 1 158.73x
Holdenhurst 1 5.64x
Holy Trinity Less London 1 119.05x
Norwich St Paul 1 33.00x
Poplar London 1 1.61x
Sandal Magna 1 20.70x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.72x
St Ives 1 29.50x
St Martin In Fields 1 5.07x
Standard Hill 1 94.34x
Tittleshall 1 172.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Emma 14
Elizabeth 11
Alice 10
Eliza 10
Sarah 10
Martha 6
Ann 5
Emily 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Anna 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Catherine 1
Christiana 1
Clar 1
Cora 1
Daisy 1
Elisa 1
Elizth 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Happy 1
Jammima 1
Jessie 1
Laurie 1
Leah 1
Lettice 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Maggie 1
Marias 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
John 18
James 15
Charles 14
Robert 13
Frederick 7
George 7
Henry 7
Alfred 6
Arthur 5
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Louis 2
Sydney 2
Thomas 2
Abraham 1
Alex 1
Ambrose 1
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
Bernard 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Edgar 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
G.W. 1
Harold 1
Hartt 1
Jonathan 1
Joseph 1
Larnderess 1
Lewis 1
Martin 1
Richard 1
Theophilus 1
W. 1
Will 1
Wm 1
Wm.C. 1

FAQ

Goodbody surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goodbody surname in 1881?

In 1881, 339 people were recorded with the Goodbody surname. That placed it at #8,948 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goodbody surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 432 in 2016. That gives Goodbody a modern rank of #11,135.

What does the Goodbody surname mean?

A surname indicating the bearer possessed an attractive or appealing physique.

What does the Goodbody map show?

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