Surname Goodness - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Goodness: What does the surname Goodness mean?
The surname Goodness is believed to have derived from the Old English pre-7th Century word "Godin" or "Goding", which means God's gift, i.e., an endearing term for a good person. Often, it was also used to refer to a child baptized and given to God. The surname Goodness significantly indicates a person's strong moral qualities such as kindness, generosity, integrity, honesty, etc. It is often used to depict a religious or God-fearing person. Over time, this name has undergone spelling variations and resulted in several different forms, such as Goodin, Gooding, Goods, Goodson, etc. It is important to note that the interpretation and meaning of surnames can vary. They depend heavily on the region they originated from, local traditions, and the language and may deviate from the given explanation.
Order DNA origin analysisGoodness: Where does the name Goodness come from?
The last name "Goodness" primarily originates from England, traced back to the Middle Ages. It was mostly used as a baptismal name 'the son of Godwin', before it became a surname. It's derived from the Old English pre 7th-century personal name "Godwine," with components 'god' meaning god and 'wine' meaning friend.
Today, it is rare to come across individuals with the surname "Goodness". More prevalent in the United States, it is found in at least 46 states, but it remains relatively uncommon. Within the US, the surname is most common in Massachusetts. It's also found in quite low numbers throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, including areas of the Commonwealth such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, indicating a wider diaspora. The name, due to its roots, may also have some presence in Nordic countries such as Denmark and Norway where names in the element God- were common. However, definitive information on the global distribution of the name Goodness is limited.
Variations of the surname Goodness
The surname Goodness is rather uncommon and specific, hence it does not have a large number of differing spelling variations. The closest variants and spellings might include Goodnes, Goodenes, Godness, or Goodnesse. It is important to note that these variants are not commonly used and might be considered as misspelled versions of the original surname Goodness.
The surname Goodness could possibly be derived from the Old English word "godnes" which means "goodness" or "kindness". Therefore, surnames that are derived from the same root may include Kindness or Good.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, it's crucial to understand that the Goodness surname seems to be of English origin. Hence, other English surnames might share the same origin, but not necessarily have the same meaning.
However, it is always recommended to conduct a genealogical or ancestral research for a more accurate and personalized result because surnames can shift significantly over time and geographical regions due to factors like migration, anglicization, and translation.
Famous people with the name Goodness
- Leroy Goodness: retired Major League Baseball player
- Kaylah Goodness: author of Live the Goodness: Reflections on Life & Faith
- Angeline Goodness: singer and songwriter
- Charles Goodness: Biblical scholar and professor of Church History
- Alvin Goodness: biologist and food scientist
- Eritha Goodness: professional pianist
- Shei Goodness: professional classical dancer
- Emit Goodness: contemporary Christian musician
- Daisy Goodness: jazz musician and vocalist
- Levon Goodness: visual artist and painter