GOOD

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Good

Good is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word 'gōd', meaning 'good' or 'virtuous'. The name likely originated as a nickname for a person known for their good or kind nature.

Origins

The surname Good is considered to be of patronymic origin, where it is derived from the given name 'Gode', which was a common medieval personal name. Over time, the name evolved into the surname Good to denote familial lineage.

Distribution

The surname Good is fairly common in the United Kingdom and has been recorded across various regions, especially in England. It has also been observed in Scotland and Wales, although to a lesser extent.

Notable Individuals

Elizabeth Good (b. 1965) - English actress known for her roles in British theatre and television.
Simon Good (1921-2008) - Renowned British historian specialising in medieval studies, with several published works on the subject.
Alice Good - Contemporary British artist acclaimed for her abstract paintings and installations.

References

Reaney, P.H. & Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1988.

There are approximately 6,172 people named Good in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,536th most common surname in Britain. Around 95 in a million people in Britain are named Good.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Anthony
Christopher
David
James
John
Michael
Richard
Robert
William

Female

Angela
Christine
Elizabeth
Emma
Jayne
Karen
Margaret
Mary
Nicola
Patricia
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.