Surname Godefroy - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking Personal Identity and Heritage: The Influence of the iGENEA DNA Test on the Understanding of the Godefroy Surname

As a Godefroy, I always took pride in my name and my known heritage. But it was the iGENEA DNA test that truly accentuated the significant meaning encompassing it, unraveled unexpected ancestorial backdrop, and threw light on cultural aspects I was previously unaware of. The realization that my roots ran deeper and more diversely than I originally thought, came as a revelation and amplified my understanding of my identity and of heritage in general.

D. Godefroy

Godefroy: What does the surname Godefroy mean?

The last name Godefroy is of French origin and has its roots in northern France. The name has two parts, "Godef" which is thought to be derived from either a Germanic personal name meaning "Good peace" or the Old French term god (good) and "froi" meaning frank, noble, or joyous.

The Godefroys originated as a prominent noble family during the Middle Ages. It is believed that they were one of the three great families of Clisson, in Loire–Atlantique, and furnished numerous members for the magistracy of Nantes, including one cardinal.

Godefroys flourished and were involved in many aspects of society, including the military, economic, political and religious spheres. The patriarch of the family, Godefroi le Grand Clisson, invested in banking and the construction of maritime and commercial infrastructure.

In modern times, the surname has spread across Europe as well as to the United States and Canada. It is seen as a symbol of the bravery and perseverance of the Godefroys during difficult times and is still a reminder of their legacy.

Godefroy: Where does the name Godefroy come from?

The last name Godefroy is a French name primarily found in France today. It can also be found in various locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Caribbean islands, as well as parts of Africa and South America.

Godefroy is an old French name derived from the Germanic words “Gott”, meaning “God”, and “frid”, meaning “peace”. It was popularized in France during the Middle Ages by a French knight, known as Godefroi de Bouillon, who took part in the First Crusade to Jerusalem in 1099.

Today, Godefroy is still an important name in France, often used to name towns, streets, and locations in France. However, its popularity has decreased significantly, and now fewer people have the name, most likely due to emigration abroad.

Godefroy is recognizable all over the world due to the massive French emigration that took place during the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s. It is still most common in France, but can also be found in many countries abroad, most notably in the Americas.

Variations of the surname Godefroy

Godefroy is a French surname that originally came from the Germanic personal name Godafrid. It is also known in other languages as Godefried, Godefridus, Gottefred, Godefriede, Gotofred, Gottfriede, Gottfried, Godafrid, Gotfrid, Gottfrid, Godfried, Godafredus, Gottfriedo, and Gottfrieden.

The variants of Godefroy include Gudefroy, Godefrid, Godofrid, Gedefroy, Godefry, Gutefroy, Gutefrid, Godfride, Godfred, Goefredo, Godfriedo, Gudefrid, Gotfry, and Gudfrid. In addition, there are also several regional dialectical variants such as Gotifredo (icesiber) and Goefredi (french/iniel).

The spellings of Godefroy may also vary depending on the language. For example, in French it is Godefroy, in German it is Götfried, in Dutch it is Goedeefrid, and in Spanish it is Godofredo.

Godefroy is also known by other surnames of the same origin, such as Godfrey, Goffredo, Gottfrid, Gudfried, Goodfried, Gudfrid, Gedifrid, Godeffroi, Godefried, and Goderich.

In conclusion, the surname Godefroy has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Gudefroy, Godefrid, Godofrid, Gedefroy, Godefry, Gutefroy, Gutefrid, Godfride, Godfred, Goefredo, Godfriedo, Gudefrid, Gotfry, Gotifredo, Goefredi, Godfrey, Goffredo, Gottfrid, Gudfried, Goodfried, Gudfrid, Gedifrid, Godeffroi, Godefried, and Goderich.

Famous people with the name Godefroy

• Lison Godefroy: French actress
• Katell Godefroy: French actress
• Jean Godefroy: French poet and writer
• Jean-Sebastien Godefroy: French architect and urban planner
• Christophe Godefroy: French multimedia artist
• Adolphe Godefroy: Belgian journalist and writer
• Victor Godefroy: French film director and screenwriter
• Raymond Godefroy: French playwright and theatre director
• Elodie Godefroy: French actress
• David Godefroy: French politician and lawyer

Other surnames

Godefroi