NameCensus.

UK surname

Goodier

An English surname derived from "goodier", meaning a more prosperous or well-to-do person.

In the 1881 census there were 1,070 people recorded with the Goodier surname, ranking it #3,697 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,128, ranked #5,224, down from #3,697 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Eccles and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goodier is 1,434 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.4%.

1881 census count

1,070

Ranked #3,697

Modern count

1,128

2016, ranked #5,224

Peak year

1911

1,434 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goodier had 1,070 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,697 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,128 in 2016, ranked #5,224.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,434 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Goodier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goodier surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goodier 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 836 #3,244
1861 historical 618 #4,318
1881 historical 1,070 #3,697
1891 historical 1,164 #3,671
1901 historical 1,333 #3,757
1911 historical 1,434 #3,374
1997 modern 1,193 #4,731
1998 modern 1,261 #4,690
1999 modern 1,301 #4,597
2000 modern 1,277 #4,654
2001 modern 1,253 #4,639
2002 modern 1,273 #4,663
2003 modern 1,254 #4,632
2004 modern 1,244 #4,659
2005 modern 1,212 #4,724
2006 modern 1,168 #4,884
2007 modern 1,177 #4,895
2008 modern 1,178 #4,912
2009 modern 1,209 #4,907
2010 modern 1,234 #4,928
2011 modern 1,188 #5,026
2012 modern 1,140 #5,126
2013 modern 1,159 #5,148
2014 modern 1,152 #5,191
2015 modern 1,145 #5,177
2016 modern 1,128 #5,224

Geography

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Where Goodiers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Eccles, Manchester, Preston and Budworth, Great. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, East Devon and Preston. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Eccles Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Budworth, Great Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire West and Chester 038 Cheshire West and Chester
2 Cheshire West and Chester 042 Cheshire West and Chester
3 Cheshire East 019 Cheshire East
4 East Devon 006 East Devon
5 Preston 010 Preston

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goodier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goodier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goodier, 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 Goodier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Goodier household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Goodier 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

Goodier is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Goodier

The surname "Goodier" is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "god," meaning good or virtuous, combined with the suffix "-ier," which was commonly used to form occupational surnames.

This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone who was considered a skilled or reputable craftsman, perhaps a maker of quality goods or a diligent worker. Alternatively, it could have originated as a nickname for someone known for their virtuous character or upstanding moral conduct.

One of the earliest known records of the surname appears in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it is listed as "Godier." This indicates that the name was already in use by that time and had likely been established for several generations prior.

In the 16th century, variations of the spelling began to emerge, such as "Goodier," "Goodyer," and "Goodair." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of written records during that era.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir Samuel Goodier, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived from 1633 to 1699. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1694 and was knighted by King William III.

Another historical figure with the surname was John Goodier, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who published several religious works, including "The Divine Authority of the Scriptures" in 1648.

In the 18th century, the name was recorded in various parish records across England, with concentrations in counties like Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. This indicates that the name may have had stronger roots in the northern regions of the country.

One interesting reference can be found in the 1841 census of England, which lists a James Goodier as the innkeeper of the "Goodier's Arms" in the village of Mellor, Derbyshire. This suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular location or establishment at that time.

Another notable individual was William Goodier, a 19th-century English architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester and Liverpool, including the Liverpool Medical Institution in 1835.

While the surname "Goodier" is not among the most common in England, it has maintained a presence throughout the centuries, with various individuals leaving their mark on history through their achievements and contributions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goodier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goodier 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. Lancashire leads with 651 Goodiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.25x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 651 5.25x
Cheshire 321 13.92x
Yorkshire 36 0.35x
Staffordshire 19 0.54x
Middlesex 15 0.14x
Essex 9 0.44x
Surrey 4 0.08x
Denbighshire 3 0.76x
Worcestershire 3 0.22x
Anglesey 2 1.08x
Warwickshire 2 0.08x
Gloucestershire 1 0.05x
Hampshire 1 0.05x
Isle of Man 1 0.52x
Kent 1 0.03x
Leicestershire 1 0.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barton Upon Irwell in Lancashire leads with 60 Goodiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.29x.

Place Total Index
Barton Upon Irwell 60 64.29x
Manchester 50 8.97x
Preston 48 14.47x
Oldham 44 11.00x
Hulme 34 13.14x
Barnton 32 581.82x
Blackburn 31 9.40x
Stretford 29 42.52x
Ashton Under Lyne 25 9.23x
Chorlton On Medlock 22 11.17x
Didsbury 17 103.28x
Worsley 17 22.25x
Pendleton In Salford 16 10.83x
Wharton 16 127.39x
Liverpool 15 1.99x
Macclesfield 14 13.66x
Pownall Fee 14 135.66x
Reddish 13 76.11x
Sale 13 45.95x
Cheadle 12 27.24x
Withington 12 30.05x
Accrington 11 9.76x
Bredbury 11 82.40x
Burnage 11 361.84x
Radcliffe 11 18.41x
Sandbach 11 55.92x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 11 53.58x
Fulshaw 10 235.85x
Monks Coppenhall 10 11.49x
Newton 10 10.47x
Salford 10 2.74x
Stockport Etchells 10 203.67x
Bollin Fee 9 87.98x
Great Harwood 9 40.16x
Openshaw 9 15.50x
West Ham 9 1.98x
Ardwick 8 7.15x
Davenham 8 380.95x
Denton 8 29.12x
Northenden 8 190.02x
Pilkington 8 16.99x
Stockport 8 6.74x
Timperley 8 99.75x
Walton On Hill 8 11.91x
Bramhall 7 73.30x
Middlewich 7 147.37x
Old Withington 7 336.54x
Rudheath 7 386.74x
Runcorn 7 13.17x
Shurlach 7 1093.75x
Sutton 7 16.84x
Warrington 7 4.76x
Wincham 7 164.71x
Ashton On Mersey 6 50.34x
Bilston 6 8.78x
Bingley 6 9.10x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 6 72.99x
Dalton In Huddersfield 6 25.87x
Kirkdale 6 2.88x
Levenshulme 6 47.02x
Norland 6 84.39x
North Meols 6 4.94x
Tottington Lower End 6 10.19x
Wolstanton 6 5.60x
Castle Northwich 5 65.53x
Heaton Norris 5 7.09x
Henbury Cum Pexhall 5 320.51x
Oswaldtwistle 5 11.42x
Thornham 5 74.52x
Tonge 5 19.22x
Audley 4 11.46x
Bowling 4 3.90x
Broughton In Salford 4 3.53x
Croxton 4 2222.22x
Droylsden 4 9.89x
Haslingden 4 7.79x
Latchford 4 26.11x
Livesey 4 18.38x
Moss Side 4 6.13x
Newchurch 4 3.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 92
Elizabeth 56
Sarah 38
Ann 30
Alice 25
Jane 25
Annie 24
Hannah 23
Martha 20
Eliza 17
Emma 16
Ellen 15
Margaret 13
Harriet 10
Emily 9
Charlotte 5
Frances 5
Amelia 4
Caroline 4
Edith 4
Phoebe 4
Agnes 3
Amy 3
Beatrice 3
Catherine 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Grace 3
Henrietta 3
Jemima 3
Jessie 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Nancy 3
Rachel 3
Rebecca 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Elizth. 2
Gertrude 2
Leah 2
Lizzie 2
Matilda 2
Maud 2
Ruth 2
Susan 2
Barbara 1
Edna 1
Eleanor 1
Elici 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 87
William 56
Thomas 51
James 47
George 35
Samuel 28
Joseph 25
Charles 19
Henry 16
Robert 13
Alfred 11
Richard 10
Arthur 8
Herbert 6
Frank 5
Walter 5
Albert 4
Fred 3
Harry 3
Levi 3
Philip 3
Earnest 2
Edwd. 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Hugh 2
Jonathan 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Richd 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Aloysius 1
Benj. 1
Benjamin 1
Birkett 1
Charls 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.A. 1
Geoffrey 1
Jacob 1
Jas.Wilson 1
Jas.Wm. 1
Joel 1
Jos. 1
Josiah 1
Leonard 1

FAQ

Goodier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goodier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,070 people were recorded with the Goodier surname. That placed it at #3,697 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goodier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,128 in 2016. That gives Goodier a modern rank of #5,224.

What does the Goodier surname mean?

An English surname derived from "goodier", meaning a more prosperous or well-to-do person.

What does the Goodier map show?

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