Surname Godfroy - Meaning and Origin

Godfroy: What does the surname Godfroy mean?

The last name Godfroy is a French surname of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German male personal name Gadfrid, which is composed of two elements, "gad" which means "good" and "frid" which means "peace". This makes the literal meaning of Godfroy "good peace".

The Godfroy name is found in France from as early as the 12th century in this form, Gudfrid or Goodfridus. The name is also found in records in other countries, such as Germany and the Low Countries.

The Godfroy surname is thought to be the name of an aristocratic ancestry. It is likely that the origins of the name are military, since there are many documented references to men with the same surname: for example, a Godfroy de Boissy was a marshal of France in the 13th century.

Today, Godfroy is a common surname in France. People with this surname are often found in the region of Poitou-Charentes in the south-west corner of the country. Bearers of the name have also spread to other countries, such as Canada.

Overall, the last name Godfroy is a strong reminder of the Germanic roots of the French nation, and it continues to evoke a sense of pride, strength and honour in its bearers.

Godfroy: Where does the name Godfroy come from?

The Godfroy surname is commonly found in locations across Europe. It is especially popular in France and Belgium, where it is among the top 200 most common surnames in each country. In France, it is the 143rd most common name, while in Belgium, it ranks 64th.

The Godfroy surname is also found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is the 8,476th most common name, while in Canada, it is the 4,871st most common name. The highest populations of the Godfroy name can be found in the states of California, Florida, and New York in America, and in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia in Canada.

The name is also common in several countries in Central and Western Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. It is also found in the countries of the Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, and Lithuania.

In some parts of the world, the name is less common. In Australia and New Zealand, the Godfroy name is not among the top 5,000 most common surnames. In Mexico, the frequency is very low and it does not appear in the top 5,000 surnames. In Japan, the name is also rare and does not appear in the top 10,000 surnames.

Variations of the surname Godfroy

Godfroy is a French surname of Norman origin. It derives from the old French "godd" or "gaut" meaning "God" and "froi" which means “peaceful ruler”, "ruler", or "lord". The variants and spellings of this surname are Godefroy, Godefroi, Godfroi, Godefree, Gofroi, Goffroy, and Godfray.

Surnames of similar origin to Godfroy include the various spellings of Godford, Gofroy, Godfrey, and Godefroid. All four of these surnames originated independently and came from different French regions before gradually unifying over time to become the same family name. Godfray is the most widely used variant today, while Godford is a rare English alteration of the name.

Godfrey can also be spelt Godfroye, Godfree, Godefroit, Godefroy, and Godfroi and is usually associated with the Low Countries, such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Northern Belgium, and parts of western Germany.

Godefroid is found mainly in France, while Gofroy and Godefree are both found in Normandy and several other parts of France. Both of these spellings are uncommon today, however, and are relatively rare.

All of these variations are collectively known as the Godfroy family name and are considered to have a shared origin, tracing back to the Norman invasion of France in 1066.

Famous people with the name Godfroy

• Maxime Godfroy: an actor and singer who appeared in the film Les petits mouchoirs and the television show Le Bazar de la charité.
• Auguste Godfroy: a French entomologist who specialised in coleoptera and wrote multiple books about his findings.
• Charles Godfroy: a French archaeologist and historian who worked on post-Roman Gaul and the Roman Empire.
• Jean Godfroy: a French diplomat who served as the French Ambassador to Denmark in 1860.
• Louis Godfroy: a French Abbot and Catholic author who published several books and articles related to religion.
• Abel Godfroy: a French entomologist who specialised in hymenoptera and also wrote books about his findings.
• Auguste Godfroy le Fort: a French military engineer who made important contributions to the building of the French railways.
• Adrien Godfroy: a French archeologist and historian who focused heavily on Celts and Roman life.
• Amédée Godfroy: a French Admiral and Admiral of the French Navy who was instrumental in the annexation of the French protectorate of Tunisia in 1881.
• Pierre Godfroy: a French surgeon who served in the Cuirassiers of the Imperial Guard and wrote multiple books about military medicine.

Other surnames

GodfreyGodfroid