Surname Godefroi - Meaning and Origin

Godefroi: What does the surname Godefroi mean?

The surname Godefroi is of French origin and is thought to derive from the Germanic name ‘Gödfrid’ or ‘Gottfried’, meaning ‘God’s peace’. This name is composed of two elements: ‘Gott’, meaning ‘God’, and ‘fride’, meaning ‘peace’. This name may have been used for a person who was known for his piety and devotion to God.

The surname appears in records from as far back as the 12th century. During this period, a knight named Godefroi de Bouillon led the First Crusade and liberated Jerusalem, putting the name on the map. This act of bravery was extremely prestigious and thus, many families adopted the name in honour of the knight. The surname then spread across Europe, eventually reaching other countries and continents.

Today, the surname Godefroi is still popular. Individuals with this surname can be found in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and various other countries. It is also possible to find individuals with the surname across the pond in the United States. The passing down of this name honors the heroic actions of Godefroi de Bouillon, and allows people to link themselves to him and his legacy that is still remembered to this day.

Godefroi: Where does the name Godefroi come from?

Godefroi is a surname that originated in Western Europe. It is most common in France and Belgium, and more rarely in other French-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Canada. The earliest records of the name are found in France. In France, the Godefroi surname is primarily found in the regions of Picardy, Ile-de-France, Alsace, and Lorraine. Other regional concentrations are found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Despite being relatively popular in France and Belgium, the name Godefroi is not particularly common in the United States, where it is found in only a small number of states. According to Census data, the name is not present in any numbers of significance outside of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California. In California, the name is concentrated around Los Angeles County, with a significant number found in San Francisco.

Due to its long history of use in Western Europe, the Godefroi surname remains popular in many French-speaking countries as well as countries with significant French influence. In addition, though rare, there is evidence of the name in other parts of the world such as Australia, South Africa, and South America.

Variations of the surname Godefroi

The surname Godefroi is a French name derived from two Germanic elements. The first element is "God" which means God and the second is "fridu" which means peace. The French variant is Godefroy, while the German variant is Gottfried. During the Middle Ages, this name was used to refer to someone who was favored by God.

The variants and alternate spellings for the name Godefroi or Godefroy are the following: Godefroi, Godefroy, Godefry, Godfry, Gaudefroi, Gauderfroy, Godefried, Godefriede, Godfrid, Gottfried, Godfried, Godfryd, Godfrye, Godfroi, Dodefroy, Dodefry, Godefred, and Gofrid.

As far as surnames are concerned, the following names are of the same origin: Godefridus, Gautfrid, Gozefred, Godefrida, Godefredus, Gottiffredi, and Geudefroi.

In addition to the variants and alternate spellings of the surname Godefroi, some people of the same origin also have nicknames. These nicknames include Gaudou, Gaudin, Froudy, and Godou.

In summary, the surname Godefroi has numerous variants and many surnames with the same origin. These variants and alternate spellings, as well as the surnames and nicknames of the same origin, enable people to identify with the same French heritage from the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Godefroi

• Paul Godefroi: French film director and screenwriter.
• Michel Godefroi: Belgian mountain bike racer.
• Jean-Michel Godefroi: Swiss professor of Public and Comparative Law.
• André Godefroi: French former professional football defender.
• Lena Godefroi: French former figure skater.
• Maxim Godefroi: Belgian military officer of the First World War.
• Rossa Godefroi: French actress and television presenter.
• Julien Godefroi: French conductor and harpsichordist.
• Jean-Marcel Godefroi: Belgian former professional football midfielder.
• Solenn Godefroi: French actress and singer.

Other surnames

Godefroy