This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Goodson family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Goodson Family History

Goodson Surname Meaning

English: from the Middle English personal name Godsone representing Old English Godsunu of various origins. It may be composed of Old English god ‘God’ or gōd ‘good’ + sunu ‘son’ or it may be an original patronymic ‘son of God’ used as a personal name.

English: patronymic from Middle English Godesson(e) ‘son of God(e)’ from the Middle English pet form Gode (Old English Goda) + -son.

English: nickname from Middle English god(e) + sone ‘good son’ (Old English gōd + sunu).

English: metronymic meaning ‘son of Godith’ from the Middle English female personal name Godith, Godit, Gody (Old English Godgȳth) + son.

English: alternatively perhaps occasionally from the Middle English female personal name Godus + -son. Possibly also an Americanized form (translation into English) of German Gutersohn: affectionate nickname meaning ‘good son’ for one of out of many sons.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Goodson family from?

You can see how Goodson families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Goodson family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Goodson families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 80 Goodson families living in Ontario. This was about 41% of all the recorded Goodson's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Goodson families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Goodson surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Goodson ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the Canada named Goodson. 35% of Goodson men worked as a Farmer.

View Census Data for Goodson | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1921

  • Farmer
    35%
  • Labourer
    16%
  • Cultivateur
    16%
  • Laborer
    14%

What Goodson family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 81,000 census records available for the last name Goodson. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Goodson census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Goodson

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Goodson. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Goodson immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 13,000 military records available for the last name Goodson. For the veterans among your Goodson ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Goodson military records

You've only scratched the surface of Goodson family history

Discover More

What is the average Goodson lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Goodson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Goodson in 1941 was 27, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Goodson

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Goodson ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Goodson family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial