NameCensus.

UK surname

Goodfield

A descriptive surname referring to good or fertile farmland.

In the 1881 census there were 131 people recorded with the Goodfield surname, ranking it #16,824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 304, ranked #14,606, up from #16,824 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Malmesbury St Paul. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Cotswold and Stroud.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goodfield is 315 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 132.1%.

1881 census count

131

Ranked #16,824

Modern count

304

2016, ranked #14,606

Peak year

2010

315 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goodfield had 131 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,824 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 304 in 2016, ranked #14,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 229 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Goodfield surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goodfield surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Goodfield 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 66 #21,617
1861 historical 157 #14,732
1881 historical 131 #16,824
1891 historical 187 #15,679
1901 historical 215 #14,478
1911 historical 229 #13,712
1997 modern 302 #13,459
1998 modern 308 #13,661
1999 modern 311 #13,642
2000 modern 303 #13,829
2001 modern 302 #13,668
2002 modern 304 #13,887
2003 modern 297 #13,917
2004 modern 298 #13,937
2005 modern 300 #13,837
2006 modern 296 #14,030
2007 modern 306 #13,862
2008 modern 302 #14,069
2009 modern 307 #14,192
2010 modern 315 #14,223
2011 modern 302 #14,535
2012 modern 286 #15,012
2013 modern 298 #14,815
2014 modern 294 #15,047
2015 modern 296 #14,893
2016 modern 304 #14,606

Geography

Back to top

Where Goodfields are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Malmesbury St Paul, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith and Crudwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Cotswold, Stroud, Herefordshire and South Gloucestershire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Malmesbury St Paul Wiltshire
4 Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith Glamorganshire
5 Crudwell Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 002 Wiltshire
2 Cotswold 011 Cotswold
3 Stroud 004 Stroud
4 Herefordshire 012 Herefordshire, County of
5 South Gloucestershire 019 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Goodfield

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Goodfield

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

Goodfield is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Goodfield 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 Goodfield is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Goodfield

The surname GOODFIELD traces its origins to the English counties of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, where it emerged as an occupational name in the late 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "gode" meaning "good" and "feld" meaning "field," likely referring to a farmer who cultivated fertile land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1193, where a Robert de Godefelde is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already gained recognition and was being used as a hereditary surname by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Godfeld, Godefelde, and Gudefelde, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 list a Richard de Godefeld from Derbyshire, indicating the name's presence in both counties.

The GOODFIELD surname is also found in several historical documents from the 14th century, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1327, which mention a John de Godefelde. This record provides evidence of the name's continued use and spread throughout the region.

Notable individuals bearing the GOODFIELD surname include:

1. William Goodfield (c. 1480 - 1558), an English landowner and member of Parliament for Derbyshire during the reign of Queen Mary I. 2. John Goodfield (1564 - 1632), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York, known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting local schools and charities. 3. Elizabeth Goodfield (c. 1610 - 1678), a Puritan writer and poet from Derbyshire, whose works explored religious themes and offered spiritual guidance. 4. Thomas Goodfield (1688 - 1761), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Nottinghamshire and published several sermons and theological treatises. 5. Sarah Goodfield (1793 - 1867), a notable figure in the early women's rights movement in Britain, advocating for equal educational opportunities and the right to vote.

While the GOODFIELD surname has its roots in the English counties of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Goodfield families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goodfield 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. Gloucestershire leads with 58 Goodfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.14x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 58 23.14x
Wiltshire 30 26.55x
Glamorgan 18 8.09x
Yorkshire 11 0.87x
Somerset 9 4.38x
Middlesex 2 0.16x
Monmouthshire 2 2.17x
Berkshire 1 1.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llandaff in Glamorgan leads with 17 Goodfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 229.73x.

Place Total Index
Llandaff 17 229.73x
Leeds 10 13.99x
Dyrham Hinton 9 5000.00x
Winterbourne 8 579.71x
Crudwell 7 2121.21x
Westport St Mary 7 853.66x
Coldashton 6 3529.41x
Norton Coleparle 6 15000.00x
Pucklechurch 6 1052.63x
Bedminster 5 25.87x
Berkeley Alkington 5 2631.58x
Frampton Cotterell 5 568.18x
Hullavington 5 1851.85x
Queen Charlton 4 8000.00x
Sapperton 4 1739.13x
Westbury On Trym 4 47.11x
Foxley 3 10000.00x
Hawkesbury 3 352.94x
Bedwellty 2 12.26x
Finchley 2 40.82x
Fretherne 2 2000.00x
Sherston Magna 2 294.12x
Tetbury 2 140.85x
Bisley 1 44.05x
Brightside Bierlow 1 4.03x
Condicote 1 1428.57x
Llantwit Vairdre 1 40.00x
Ozleworth 1 2500.00x
Reading St Lawrence 1 48.78x
Tytherington 1 526.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 6
Eliza 4
Annie 3
Jane 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Laura 2
Lucy 2
Caroline 1
Ellen 1
Elonar 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Hannah 1
Julia 1
Kessia 1
Leah 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Marther 1
Matilda 1
Phoeby 1
Prudence 1
Rachael 1
Sally 1
Silvia 1
Stephana 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 7
Henry 6
John 6
George 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Thomas 3
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Morris 2
Samuel 2
Wesley 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Bertie 1
Cha. 1
Cornelius 1
Dasey 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Harry 1
Hyman 1
Jasper 1
Jesse 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Maurice 1
Richard 1
Richmond 1
Robt. 1
Simon 1
Timothy 1
Walter 1
Wm.James 1
Worthy 1

Top occupations

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 Goodfield households.

FAQ

Goodfield surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goodfield surname in 1881?

In 1881, 131 people were recorded with the Goodfield surname. That placed it at #16,824 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goodfield surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 304 in 2016. That gives Goodfield a modern rank of #14,606.

What does the Goodfield surname mean?

A descriptive surname referring to good or fertile farmland.

What does the Goodfield map show?

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