Find out how popular the last name Goodshield is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Goodshield.

Goodshield, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Goodshield surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Goodshield in America

Goodshield is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Goodshield surname appeared 150 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Goodshield.

The history of the last name Goodshield

The surname GOODSHIELD has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "god," meaning good, and "scild," meaning shield. This combination suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone who was a skilled warrior or protector.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1273, there is a reference to a Robert Godesheld. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

During the 14th century, the name appears in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a William Godsheld is mentioned. This suggests that the name was present in different regions of England during this period.

One notable historical figure bearing the GOODSHIELD name was Sir John Goodshield, a prominent knight who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War in the 14th century. He was known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield, further exemplifying the meaning of his surname.

In the 16th century, the GOODSHIELD name can be found in the parish records of Oxfordshire, with entries such as the marriage of Thomas Goodshield and Elizabeth Browne in 1583. This indicates the surname's presence in the region and its continuation through generations.

Another significant individual with the GOODSHIELD surname was William Goodshield, a renowned English poet and playwright born in 1620. His works, including several plays and collections of poetry, were widely celebrated during the Restoration period.

During the 17th century, the name appears to have been associated with certain place names, such as Goodshield Manor in Berkshire, which may have influenced the surname's geographical distribution.

Moving into the 18th century, the GOODSHIELD name can be found in the records of the East India Company, with individuals like Richard Goodshield serving as a captain in the company's maritime fleet in the 1760s.

In the 19th century, one notable figure was Sir Henry Goodshield, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist born in 1825. He made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in northern England and was also known for his charitable endeavors.

While the surname GOODSHIELD may have evolved from its original meaning over time, its historical roots and associations with bravery, protection, and nobility have remained a part of its legacy throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Goodshield

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Goodshield.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Goodshield was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Goodshield was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Goodshield, please contact us.

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