Index and Links as of December, 2010

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Index and Links as of December, 2010

Origin and History of the Surname Goodman

Elsewhere in this blog I discuss the fact that in 1856, my generation's maternal GG grandfather, Dr. William M Jones, married Elizabeth Ann Goodman. Her parents were John Goodman and Susanna Frizzell Fox Goodman.

For that reason I've added this page to our roster of the history and origin of our various family surnames.

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"This venerable Anglo-Scottish surname has three possible origins. Firstly, it may be a status name to describe the head of a household. As such it derives from the Olde English word "god" meaning good, and "-man", a term used in a transferred sense to indicate "head of".

Secondly and in Scotland, the name described a landowner. This was a person who held his land not directly from the crown, but from a nobleman authorised so to do, by the king.

Finally, it may be of pre-7th century Anglo-Saxon origin. If so it derives from the personal name "Guethmund". This name was composed of the elements "gueth" meaning battle, plus "mund" protection, and was one of a range of similar names which extolled the virtues of war and authority. The latter was much lacking in those far off days.
 
The surname dates back to the early 12th century (see below), and is therefore one of the very earliest to be recorded anywhere. Recordings of the spelling forms include Godman, Goddman, Goodman, Goudman, and Gutman. In the early surviving church registers of the city of London the marriage of Thomas Goodman to Parnell Dewey took place on May 28th 1561 at St James Clerkenwell.

A coat of arms granted to the Goodman family has the blazon of per pale black and ermine, a silver two headed eagle displayed. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Asteelinus Godeman. This was dated 1115, in the "Book of Winton", Hampshire, during the reign of King Henry 1st, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135.

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling."

Source 

Our Jones Family Connection, Part 5 - Asa Alfred Jones and Family

Elsewhere in this blog is a photo of seven sons of Lewis and Rebecca Jones. One of them is Josiah Jones, the father of Asa Alfred Jones, pictured here with his family.

▲Based upon the census information below, it seems likely that the photo above was taken in Hendrysburg, Belmont County, Ohio. Based upon Asa's year of birth and his appearance, the photo appears to be circa 1898. (Click photos to enlarge 'em.)

Jones cousin Lisa Pomeranz provided the two photos on this page, and here's what she had to say about them:

"Here are two pictures for you. [The bottom] One is...unidentified Jones[es] (they all seem to closely resemble each other but perhaps you have some ideas). The [top one] is Asa Alfred Jones and his family.

First row: Asa, Oscar, Rebecca Ann; Back row: Emma Jones (Major), Abner Murphy, husband of Leota Jones Murphy, Oliver Jones, Lida Jones (Likes) - my great grandmother."

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Here's how the 1880 U.S. census records this family:

1880 United States Federal Census about Asa. A. Jones
Home in 1880: Hendrysburg, Belmont, Ohio
Age: 32
Estimated birth year: about 1848
Birthplace: Ohio
Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Anna R. Jones
Father's birthplace: Ohio
Mother's birthplace: Ohio
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male

Household Members: Name, Age
■ Asa. A. Jones, 32
■ Anna R. Jones, 36
■ Sarah L. Jones, 6
■ Lida L. Jones, 5
■ Oliver A. Jones, 1

Trivia: Asa's father, Josiah Jones, was the brother of Dr. William M Jones, my generation's GG grandfather. An online Cousin Calculator says that makes Asa my generation's 1st cousin 3 x removed.

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◄ The people pictured here are unidentified members of the Jones family.

Thanks so much for these photos, Lisa. To me it's interesting to see how these members of our extended ancestral family dressed. Floor length high-necked dresses for the women (note their narrow waists in the top photo) and the young men usually wore suits and ties.

I can't help reflecting on the fact that dry cleaning hadn't yet become available - so I wonder how they laundered these clothes. It must have been very difficult to keep them presentable!

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Please refer to the disclaimer on the index page of this blog for a statement regarding the accuracy of - and documentation for - the information presented in this blog.

Last revised 12/3/2010