NameCensus.

UK surname

Goodrum

Derived from a place name meaning "good rum," likely referring to a location known for producing high-quality rum.

In the 1881 census there were 400 people recorded with the Goodrum surname, ranking it #7,974 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 923, ranked #6,183, up from #7,974 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Great Yarmouth and Downham Market, Stow Bardolph, Wimbotsham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broadland, Great Yarmouth and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goodrum is 1,005 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 130.8%.

1881 census count

400

Ranked #7,974

Modern count

923

2016, ranked #6,183

Peak year

1998

1,005 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goodrum had 400 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,974 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 923 in 2016, ranked #6,183.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 695 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Goodrum surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goodrum surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goodrum 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 216 #9,818
1861 historical 111 #19,429
1881 historical 400 #7,974
1891 historical 455 #8,009
1901 historical 575 #7,300
1911 historical 695 #6,115
1997 modern 964 #5,654
1998 modern 1,005 #5,653
1999 modern 996 #5,731
2000 modern 993 #5,722
2001 modern 967 #5,741
2002 modern 973 #5,814
2003 modern 945 #5,859
2004 modern 940 #5,891
2005 modern 914 #5,953
2006 modern 932 #5,877
2007 modern 921 #5,987
2008 modern 914 #6,064
2009 modern 926 #6,117
2010 modern 944 #6,151
2011 modern 932 #6,157
2012 modern 918 #6,151
2013 modern 947 #6,101
2014 modern 954 #6,107
2015 modern 935 #6,151
2016 modern 923 #6,183

Geography

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Where Goodrums are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Great Yarmouth, Downham Market, Stow Bardolph, Wimbotsham, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Fundenhall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Broadland, Great Yarmouth, County Durham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Wellingborough. 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 3
2 Great Yarmouth Norfolk
3 Downham Market, Stow Bardolph, Wimbotsham Norfolk
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Fundenhall Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Broadland 014 Broadland
2 Great Yarmouth 004 Great Yarmouth
3 County Durham 004 County Durham
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 017 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Wellingborough 008 Wellingborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goodrum

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goodrum

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

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Goodrum is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Goodrum 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

Goodrum falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goodrum 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 Goodrum, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Goodrum

The surname Goodrum is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "god" meaning "good" and "rum" meaning "room" or "space." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a spacious or well-appointed dwelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Godrume." This entry refers to a landowner in the county of Oxfordshire. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Godrum, Godroome, and ultimately Goodrum.

During the 13th century, records show a John Godrum who was a prominent landowner in the village of Chedworth, Gloucestershire. His descendants continued to reside in the area for several generations, contributing to the spread of the name in the region.

In the 15th century, a notable bearer of the Goodrum surname was Sir William Goodrum, a knight who served in the Wars of the Roses. He was born around 1425 and fought for the House of Lancaster during the conflict.

Another historically significant figure was Thomas Goodrum, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the late 16th century. He was involved in the lucrative wool trade and played a role in the city's governance.

In the 17th century, the Goodrum name was found in various parts of England, including the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. One noteworthy individual from this era was Reverend John Goodrum, a clergyman who served as the vicar of Weston-under-Penyard in Herefordshire from 1672 until his death in 1698.

As the centuries progressed, the Goodrum surname continued to spread across England and eventually to other parts of the world, carried by individuals who emigrated from their homeland. Some notable bearers of the name include James Goodrum, an 18th-century surgeon who served in the British Army, and William Goodrum, a 19th-century poet and author from Warwickshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goodrum families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goodrum 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. Norfolk leads with 276 Goodrums recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.01x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 276 46.01x
Essex 29 3.77x
Middlesex 24 0.62x
Suffolk 16 3.37x
Durham 14 1.21x
Yorkshire 13 0.34x
Surrey 12 0.63x
Kent 6 0.45x
Cambridgeshire 5 2.02x
Lincolnshire 3 0.48x
Northumberland 2 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fundenhall in Norfolk leads with 37 Goodrums recorded in 1881 and an index of 8809.52x.

Place Total Index
Fundenhall 37 8809.52x
Acle 26 2131.15x
Downham Market 21 509.71x
Lakenham 18 211.27x
Great Yarmouth 17 34.21x
Saham Toney 16 987.65x
Rockland St Mary 13 2203.39x
Wimbotsham 13 1710.53x
Loddon 12 779.22x
Bethnal Green London 10 5.90x
Lambeth 10 2.94x
Monkwearmouth 10 90.01x
Hapton 9 3461.54x
Grays Thurrock 8 111.73x
Stow Bardolph 8 449.44x
Wivenhoe 8 261.44x
Ashwellthorpe 7 1428.57x
Brightside Bierlow 7 9.23x
Swaffham 7 143.44x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 16.66x
Cantley 6 1666.67x
Lewisham 6 8.45x
Maldon St Marys 6 324.32x
East Carleton 5 1219.51x
Maldon St Peter 5 127.55x
Postwick 5 1250.00x
St Andrewthe Less 5 17.71x
Barford 4 930.23x
Beetley 4 869.57x
Carleton Rode 4 384.62x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 7.96x
Norton Subcourse 4 833.33x
Norwich St Mary At Coslany 4 232.56x
Paddington London 4 2.79x
Rumburgh 4 833.33x
Wymondham 4 65.25x
Blundeston 3 315.79x
Bunwell 3 260.87x
Hackney London 3 1.37x
Hassingham 3 2142.86x
Heigham 3 9.32x
Lingwood 3 566.04x
Norwich St Martin At 3 297.03x
St Luke London 3 4.79x
Wangford 3 337.08x
Camberwell 2 0.80x
Cromer 2 93.90x
Deeping St Nicholas 2 109.29x
Heaton 2 103.63x
Ilketshall St Margaret 2 526.32x
Ketteringham 2 833.33x
Mile End Old Town London 2 2.41x
Seething 2 384.62x
Westminster St Margaret 2 10.63x
Colchester St Runwald 1 243.90x
Coltishall 1 78.74x
East Donyland 1 53.76x
Ellingham 1 222.22x
Fritton 1 294.12x
Gorleston 1 8.29x
Hardley 1 312.50x
Ipswich St Clement 1 8.28x
Ipswich St Margaret 1 6.20x
Mulbarton 1 144.93x
Norwich St Etheldred 1 117.65x
Norwich St George Colegate 1 45.87x
Reedham 1 86.96x
Shottesham All Sts 1 196.08x
Spalding 1 8.08x
Tivetshall St Mary 1 270.27x
Westacre 1 181.82x
Wickhampton 1 500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 19
Mary 19
Sarah 11
Ann 10
Alice 9
Emma 9
Ellen 8
Emily 7
Harriet 7
Jane 6
Hannah 5
Martha 5
Clara 4
Louisa 4
Lucy 4
Maria 4
Rebecca 4
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Anna 2
Catherine 2
Eliza 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Margaret 2
Rachel 2
Sophia 2
Alliner 1
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Celia 1
Edward 1
Ester 1
Ethel 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Henriette 1
Ida 1
Jesoca 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lousia 1
Mable 1
Maryann 1
Mercy 1
Miagi 1
Mulverner 1
Zillah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 26
James 20
Robert 18
George 16
Charles 10
Alfred 9
Thomas 7
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Edward 4
Henry 4
Albert 3
Horace 3
David 2
Elijah 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Jonathan 2
Matthew 2
Samuel 2
Aldred 1
Ben 1
Benjamin 1
C. 1
Christopher 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Ellis 1
Emmanuel 1
Ephraim 1
Ephriam 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Johosaphat 1
Last 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Martin 1
Phillip 1
R.E.D. 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Shelton 1

FAQ

Goodrum surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goodrum surname in 1881?

In 1881, 400 people were recorded with the Goodrum surname. That placed it at #7,974 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goodrum surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 923 in 2016. That gives Goodrum a modern rank of #6,183.

What does the Goodrum surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "good rum," likely referring to a location known for producing high-quality rum.

What does the Goodrum map show?

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