indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from nickname)
Usage English
Meaning & History
Probably a nickname from Middle English expression gode ‘good’ (Old English gōd) + year, yere ‘year’ commonly used as an intensifier in questions e.g. ‘What the good year?’. Perhaps bestowed on someone who frequently used the saying possibly also in the sense ‘(as I hope to have a) good year’ or as a New Year salutation. Americanized form (translation into English) of German Gutjahr.