indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from nickname)
Usage Medieval English
Meaning & History
From Middle English god dai ‘good day’, possibly applied as a nickname for someone who frequently used this greeting.
From a Middle English female personal name Godeve, Old English Godgifu, composed of the elements god ‘good’ or god ‘god’ + gifu ‘gift’. This name has perhaps absorbed a less common name with the second element guð ‘battle’.
A nickname for a widow or an independent woman, from Middle English goodwife ‘mistress of a house’, from Old English god ‘good’ + wif ‘woman’. Compare Goodman.
From a Middle English female personal name Godeve, Old English Godgifu, composed of the elements god ‘good’ or god ‘god’ + gifu ‘gift’. This name has perhaps absorbed a less common name with the second element guð ‘battle’.
A nickname for a widow or an independent woman, from Middle English goodwife ‘mistress of a house’, from Old English god ‘good’ + wif ‘woman’. Compare Goodman.