Goodkind
A compound surname meaning good-natured or kind-hearted.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Goodkind. That puts it at #99,845 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Goodkind surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#99,845
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
181
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 181 bearers of the surname Goodkind in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 99845th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Goodkind, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Goodkind
The surname GOODKIND originated in England during the late medieval period, likely emerging in the 13th or 14th century. It is derived from the Old English words "god" meaning good or virtuous, and "cynd" meaning kind or nature. The name was likely initially bestowed as a descriptive nickname for someone perceived as having a good and kind nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GOODKIND can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mentions a Robert Goodkynde. Another early reference is in the Cartulary of St. Mary's Church in Warwick from 1359, where a John Goodkynde is listed.
The GOODKIND name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire in the West Midlands region of England. It is believed that the name may have originated in one of these counties, possibly near a location with a name similar to "Goodkind" or a variation thereof.
Notable individuals with the surname GOODKIND throughout history include John Goodkind (1615-1673), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Chigwell in Essex. Another notable bearer of the name was William Goodkind (1738-1812), a British soldier who served in the American Revolutionary War.
In the 19th century, James Goodkind (1811-1888) was a prominent architect and surveyor from London, responsible for designing several notable buildings in the city. Additionally, Samuel Goodkind (1845-1922) was an English businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to various charitable organizations in London.
One of the more recent individuals with the GOODKIND surname was Terrence Goodkind (1948-2020), an American novelist best known for his epic fantasy series "The Sword of Truth." He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and his books have been published in numerous languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Goodkind
Among Census respondents with the surname Goodkind, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Goodkind bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Goodkind surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.8%
- Hispanic or Latino4.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Goodkind surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #99,845 | #99,845 | 0.0% |
| Count | 181 | 181 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Goodkind bearers went from 181 to 181 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #99,845 to #99,845.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Goodkind
FAQ
Goodkind surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Goodkind?
The surname Goodkind holds position #99,845 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Goodkind surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Goodkind, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.