Godwin is an English-language surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. It means ''

God In monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Oxford Companion to Philosophy'', Oxford University Press, 1995. God is typically ...

's friend'' and is thus equivalent to

Theophilus Theophilus is a male given name with a range of alternative spellings. Its origin is the Greek word Θεόφιλος from θεός (God) and φιλία (love or affection) can be translated as "Love of God" or "Friend of God", i.e., it is a theoph ...

Jedediah Jedediah ( he, יְדִידְיָה) or Jedidiah is a Hebrew male given name, which is derived from the name ''Yedidyah'', meaning "beloved of Jah". In the Hebrew Bible, Jedidiah (''Jeddedi'' in Brenton's Septuagint Translation) was the second or ...

Amadeus Amadeus may refer to: *Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), prolific and influential composer of classical music *Amadeus (name), a given name and people with the name * ''Amadeus'' (play), 1979 stage play by Peter Shaffer * ''Amadeus'' (film), ...

and

Reuel Reuel or Raguel (; Edomite: 𐤓𐤏𐤀𐤋, ''RʿʾL''), meaning "God shall pasture" or more specifically " El shall pasture" (as a shepherd does with his flock) is a Hebrew name associated with several biblical and religious figures. Biblical ...

. However, the word "Godwin" can also mean "helper of mankind"

Surname or only known name

House of Godwin

Ancestry of the Godwins Very little is known for certain of the ancestry of the Godwins, the family of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, Harold II. When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 his closest relative was his great-nephew, Edgar the Æthe ...

Godwin, Earl of Wessex Godwin of Wessex ( ang, Godwine; – 15 April 1053) was an English nobleman who became one of the most powerful earls in England under the Danish king Cnut the Great (King of England from 1016 to 1035) and his successors. Cnut made Godwin the ...

(died 1053), earl in England under the Danish king Cnut the Great **

Harold Godwinson Harold Godwinson ( – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the ...

***

Edmund, son of Harold Godwinson Edmund or Eadmund (Within the Anglo-Saxon alphabet it was likely spelt) ᚪᛖᛞᛘᚩᚾᛞ or Ædmund ( 1068 – 1069) was a son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. He was driven into exile in Dublin by the Norman conquest of England, along ...

***

Godwin, son of Harold Godwinson Godwin or Godwine ( 1066 – 1069) was a son, probably the eldest son, of Harold Godwinson, King of England. He was driven into exile in Dublin, along with two of his brothers, by the Norman conquest of England, and from there he twice led expe ...

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Harold, son of Harold Godwinson Harold ( 1067 – 1098) was a son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. He was driven into exile by the Norman conquest of England, and found refuge at the court of the king of Norway. Birth and parentage Harold's family was one of the most ...

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Magnus, son of Harold Godwinson Magnus ( 1068) was a son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. He was, in all likelihood, driven into exile in Dublin by the Norman conquest of England, along with two of his brothers, and from there took part in one, or perhaps two, expeditions ...

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Ulf, son of Harold Godwinson Ulf or Wulf ( 1067 – 1087) was a son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. He was captured during the course of the Norman conquest of England, and imprisoned in Normandy, being released only at the death of William the Conqueror. Birth and ...

Gyrth Godwinson Gyrth Godwinson ( Old English: ''Gyrð Godƿinson''; 1032 – 14 October 1066) was the fourth son of Earl Godwin, and thus a younger brother of Harold Godwinson. He went with his eldest brother Sweyn into exile to Flanders in 1051, but unlike ...

Sweyn Godwinson Sweyn Godwinson ( ang, Swegen Godƿinson) ( 1020 – 1052), also spelled Swein, was the eldest son of Earl Godwin of Wessex, and brother of Harold II of England. Early life In 1043 Sweyn was raised to an earldom which included Gloucestersh ...

Tostig Godwinson Tostig Godwinson ( 102925 September 1066) was an Anglo-Saxon Earl of Northumbria and brother of King Harold Godwinson. After being exiled by his brother, Tostig supported the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada's invasion of England, and was kill ...

Leofwine Godwinson Leofwine Godwinson (c. 1035 – 14 October 1066) was a younger brother of King Harold Godwinson, the fifth son of Earl Godwin. When the Godwin family was exiled from England in 1051 he went with Harold to Ireland, where they were sheltered and ...

Wulfnoth Godwinson Wulfnoth Godwinson (1040-1094) was a younger brother of Harold II of England, the sixth son of Godwin. Biography Wulfnoth was given as a hostage to Edward the Confessor in 1051 as assurance of Godwin's good behaviour and support during the confro ...

Politics and governance

Abraham Godwin Abraham Godwin (July 16, 1763 – October 5, 1835) was a representative in the New Jersey General Assembly, former fife major in the American Revolutionary War, and brigadier general during the War of 1812. Personal life Abraham Godwin was bo ...

(1763–1835), New Jersey General Assembly 1802–1806, Elector for Andrew Jackson 1828 *

Abraham Godwin Jr. Abraham Godwin Jr. (July 14, 1791 – August 18, 1849) was the first Lieutenant of the expedition to Canada in 1812 led by Generals Brown and Izard. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the New Jersey state militia. In 1816 when his ...

(1791–1849), New Jersey General Assembly 1821–1832, took vote to D.C. for Presidential Election 1840 *

Hannibal Lafayette Godwin Hannibal Lafayette Godwin (November 3, 1873 – June 9, 1929) was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1907 and 1921. Education and career Born near Dunn in Harnett County, North Carolina, Godwin attended common schools ...

(1873–1929), North Carolina Congressman *

Mary Wollstonecraft Mary Wollstonecraft (, ; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was a British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. Until the late 20th century, Wollstonecraft's life, which encompassed several unconventional personal relationsh ...

, later Mary Godwin (1759–1797), English author of ''A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'' * Mills E. Godwin Jr. (1914–1999), Governor of Virginia *

Richard Godwin Richard Philip Godwin (March 21, 1922 – March 3, 2005) also known as Dick, was born in Clifton, New Jersey, but raised in New Britain, Connecticut. Served in the United States Navy during WWII, enlisted July 1, 1943, and discharged June 21, 19 ...

(1922–2005), First Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics *

William Godwin William Godwin (3 March 1756 – 7 April 1836) was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. Godwin is most famous f ...

(1756–1836), English political philosopher

Religion

Godwin of Stavelot Saint Godwin of Stavelot was a Benedictine abbot of the monastery of Stavelot-Malmedy, Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered b ...

, English saint *

Francis Godwin Francis Godwin (1562–1633) was an English historian, science fiction author, divine, Bishop of Llandaff and of Hereford. Life He was the son of Thomas Godwin, Bishop of Bath and Wells, born at Hannington, Northamptonshire. He was the great ...

(1562–1633), English bishop and historian *

Godwin (bishop) Godwin (or Godwine; died after 1017) was a medieval Bishop of Lichfield The Bishop of Lichfield is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers 4,516 km2 (1,744 sq. mi.) ...

, bishop of Lichfield – 1017 *

Jeff Godwin Jeff Godwin is a Christian fundamentalist preacher and author from Bloomington, Indiana, USA. He is best known for his numerous books critical of both secular and Christian rock music. Godwin is a former drug addict and rock musician. He claims that ...

, American fundamentalist, former rock musician *

Thomas Godwin (bishop) Thomas Godwin (1517 – 19 November 1590) was an English bishop, who presided over the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Life Thomas Godwin was both born and died in Wokingham in Berkshire. For tuition he entered the household of Richard Layton, the ...

(1517–1590), bishop of Bath and Wells

Arts and entertainment

Catherine Grace Godwin Catherine Grace Godwin (25 December 1798 – 1845) was a Scottish novelist, amateur painter and poet. Biography Catherine Grace Garnett was born in Glasgow on 15 December 1798. Her mother, Catherine Grace Cleveland, died in childbirth. Her fath ...

(1798–1845), Scottish poet *

Edward William Godwin Edward William Godwin (26 May 1833, Bristol – 6 October 1886, London) was a progressive English architect-designer, who began his career working in the strongly polychromatic "Ruskinian Gothic" style of mid-Victorian Britain, inspired by ' ...

(1833–1886), English architect *

Elizabeth Ayton Godwin Elizabeth Ayton Godwin (4 July 1817 – 26 March 1889) was a Victorian era Christian hymn writer and religious poet. She was born at Thorpe Hamlet, Norfolk, England, 4 July 1817. Her father was William Ellis Etheridge. In 1849, she married Mr. C. ...

(1817–1889), English hymnwriter, religious poet *

Fay Godwin Fay Godwin (17 February 1931 – 27 May 2005) was a British photographer known for her black-and-white landscapes of the British countryside and coast. Career Godwin was introduced to the London literary scene.Frank Godwin Francis Godwin (October 20, 1889 – August 5, 1959) was an American illustrator and comic strip artist, notable for his strip ''Connie (comic strip), Connie'' and his book illustrations for ''Treasure Island'', ''Kidnapped (novel), Kidnapped ...

(1889–1959), American illustrator, creator of ''Connie'' comic strip *

Frank Godwin (film producer) Frank Godwin (23 June 1917 – 6 September 2012) was an English film producer, best known for the film ''Woman in a Dressing Gown''. Born to a theatrical family, Godwin initially worked as an accountant and joined Gainsborough Studios in 1943. I ...

(1917–2012), English film producer *

Gail Godwin Gail Godwin (born June 18, 1937) is an American novelist and short story writer. Godwin has written 14 novels, two short story collections, three non-fiction books, and ten libretti. Her primary literary accomplishments are her novels, which have ...

(born 1937), American novelist and short story writer *

George Stanley Godwin George Stanley Godwin (1889–1974) was an English writer of fiction and non-fiction books. Childhood and youth George S. Godwin was born in London, England, the youngest boy of a large family, and was only three years old when his father ...

(1889–1974), English author *

, American fundamentalist, former rock musician *

Joscelyn Godwin Joscelyn Godwin (born 16 January 1945 at Kelmscott, Oxfordshire, England) is a composer, musicologist, and translator, known for his work on ancient music, paganism, and music in the occult. Biography He was educated as a chorister at Chri ...

(born 1945), English musicologist and translator *

Mary Godwin (artist) Mary Godwin (1887–1960) was a British oil painter, water colourist and etcher, who often chose landscapes, interiors, and figures as subjects. She studied at the Women’s Department of King’s College with John Byam Shaw, and at Westminster ...

(1887–1960), British artist *

Mary Shelley Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (; ; 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel '' Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction. She also ...

(née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin; 1797–1851), English author of ''Frankenstein'' *

Parke Godwin Parke Godwin (January 28, 1929 – June 19, 2013) was an American writer. He won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 1982 for his story " The Fire When It Comes". He was a native of New York City, where he was born in 1929. He was the ...

(1929–2013), American writer *

Parke Godwin (journalist) Parke Godwin (February 28, 1816 – January 7, 1904) was an American journalist associated with New York. Biography Godwin was born on February 28, 1816, in Paterson, New Jersey. His father Abraham Godwin was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812, an ...

(1816–1904), American journalist *

Paul Godwin Paul Godwin (1902–1982) was a violinist and the leader of a popular German dance orchestra in the 1920s and 30s. Biography Paul Godwin (b. Pinchas Goldfein) was born on 28 March 1902 in Sosnowitz ( Russian Empire; now Poland). Early record ...

(1902–1982), Polish violinist and bandleader *

Peter Godwin Peter Godwin (born 4 December 1957) is a Zimbabwean author, journalist, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and former human rights lawyer. Best known for his writings concerning the breakdown of his native Zimbabwe, he has reported from mor ...

(born 1957), Zimbabwean author and journalist *

Peter Godwin (singer) Peter Godwin is an English new wave musician. He was a member of the band Metro, as well as a solo artist and songwriter. Godwin's song " Criminal World" was banned by the BBC on its initial release in 1977 due to bisexual overtones. Six ye ...

, English new wave musician *

Robert Godwin Robert Godwin (born 1958 in England) is a British author who has written about rock music and spaceflight. Early in his career he was a rock music impresario who managed a venue in Burlington, Ontario and founded Griffin Music. Personal info ...

(born 1958), British author *

Ted Godwin Edward W. (Ted) Godwin, D.F.A. (August 13, 1933 – January 3, 2013) was the youngest member of the Regina Five, a group of five artists (Ken Lochhead, Art McKay, Ron Bloore and Douglas Morton) all based in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1961 when t ...

(1933–2013), Canadian artist *

Tom Godwin Tom Godwin (June 6, 1915 – August 31, 1980) was an American science fiction author active throughout the 1950s into the 1970s. In his career, Godwin published three novels and around thirty short stories. He is best known for his short sto ...

(1915–1980), American science fiction author

Science

George Godwin George Godwin FRS (28 January 1813 – 27 January 1888) was an influential British architect, journalist, and editor of '' The Builder'' magazine. Life He was one of nine children of the architect George Godwin senior (1780–1863) and trained ...

(1813–1888), British architect, town planner and journalist *

Harry Godwin Sir Harry Godwin, FRS (9 May 1901 – 12 August 1985) was a prominent English botanist and ecologist of the 20th century. He is considered to be an influential peatland scientist, who coined the phrase "peat archives" in 1981. He had a long ...

(1901–1985), English botanist *

Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen FRS FZS FRGS MBOU (6 July 1834 – 2 December 1923), known until 1854 as Henry Haversham Austen, was an English topographer, surveyor, naturalist and geologist. He explored the mountains ...

(1834–1923), English geologist and ornithologist *

Linda M. Godwin Linda Maxine Godwin Ph.D. (born July 2, 1952) is an American scientist and retired NASA astronaut. Godwin joined NASA in 1980 and became an astronaut in July 1986. She retired in 2010. During her career, Godwin completed four space flights and ...

(born 1952), American astronaut *

Robert Alfred Cloynes Godwin-Austen Robert Alfred Cloyne Godwin-Austen FRS (17 March 1808 – 25 November 1884) was an English geologist. Godwin-Austen was the eldest son of Sir Henry E. Austen. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, of which he became a fellow in 1830. He afte ...

(1808–1884), English geologist

Sport

Billy Godwin Billy Godwin (born November 19, 1964) is an American college baseball coach and former pitcher. He is the head baseball coach at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Godwin played college baseball at Atlantic Christian College in 1986. ...

(born 1964), American college baseball coach *

Chris Godwin Rod Christopher Godwin Jr. (born February 27, 1996) is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State and was drafted by the Buccaneers in the thi ...

(born 1996), American football player *

John Godwin (baseball) John Godwin (born March 10, 1877, in East Liverpool, Ohio; died May 5, 1956, in E. Liverpool, Ohio) nicknamed "Bunny", was a Major League Baseball player for the Boston Americans The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball t ...

(1877–1956), American baseball player *

Neville Godwin Neville Godwin (born 31 January 1975) is a former tennis player from South Africa. Godwin turned professional in 1994. The right-hander won one singles title (2001 Newport) in his career, and reached his highest individual ranking on the ATP T ...

(born 1975), South African tennis player *

Terry Godwin Terry Tyrome Godwin (born October 23, 1996) is an American football wide receiver who a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Georgia and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in ...

(born 1996), American football player *

Tommy Godwin (footballer) Thomas Fergus Godwin (20 August 1927 – 21 August 1996), commonly referred to as Tommy Godwin, was an Irish footballer who played for shamrock Rovers, Leicester City and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. On 21 September 1949, together with Con ...

(1927–1996), Irish footballer *

Tommy Godwin (cyclist, born 1912) Thomas Edward Godwin (1912–1975) was an English cyclist who held the world cycling record for most miles covered in a year () and the fastest completion of . In 1939, Godwin entered the Golden Book of Cycling as the greatest long-distance ri ...

(1912–1975), English cyclist and world record holder for miles covered in a year *

Tommy Godwin (cyclist, born 1920) Thomas Charles Godwin (5 November 1920 – 3 November 2012) was a British track cyclist, active during the 1940s and 1950s. He held national records and raced abroad. He later became a coach, manager, and administrator. In 2010 he was selected ...

(1920–2012), British track cyclist active during the 1940s and 1950s *

Verdi Godwin Verdi Godwin BEM (11 February 1926 – 1 December 2013) was an English footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Mansfield Town, Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town, Brentford and Stoke City. Afte ...

(1926–2013), English footballer *

Wayne Godwin Wayne Robert Godwin (born 13 March 1982) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 2000s and 2010s. Godwin played for the Castleford Tigers ( Heritage № 779), the Wigan Warriors ( Heritage № 971), Hu ...

(born 1982), English rugby player

Military

Captain Abraham Godwin Abraham Godwin (November 23, 1724 – February 9, 1777) was a carpenter from New York City and one of the first American settlers in the area of Paterson, New Jersey, earlier known as Acquackanonk. He built the Godwin Hotel, and opened a stage coa ...

(1724–1777), Captain of Marines on the USS ''Lady Washington'' in the American Revolutionary War *

Bill Godwin Brigadier W. A. "Bill" Godwin was a Rhodesian army officer. He served with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) during the British colonial era and was mentioned in despatches for service during the Malayan Emergency. After Rhodesia's 1965 unil ...

, Rhodesian brigadier * Elizabeth Godwin, British army captain and first female officer of The Life Guards *

James Godwin James Basil "Gib" Godwin III (born February 6, 1951), a retired Rear Admiral (upper half) of the United States Navy, was the Program Executive Officer – Enterprise Information Systems of the Department of the Navy. His responsibilities in ...

, American admiral *

James Gowing Godwin James Gowing Godwin (12 March 1923 – 2 May 1995) was a pilot of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War, who subsequently became a prisoner of war. After the end of the war, as a captain in the Australian Army, he became an ...

(1923–1995), New Zealand military aviator *

John Godwin (Royal Navy officer) Temporary Lieutenant John Godwin, RNVR (13 December 1919 – 2 February 1945) was a British naval officer. Born and brought up in Argentina, he took part in a raid named Operation Checkmate on Axis shipping near Haugesund, north of Stavanger, ...

(1919–1945), British Naval Reserve officer during World War II

Other people

Becky Godwin Mills Edwin Godwin Jr. (November 19, 1914January 30, 1999) was an American politician who was the List of governors of Virginia, 60th and 62nd governor of Virginia for two non-consecutive terms, from 1966 to 1970 and from 1974 to 1978. In his f ...

(1954–1968), daughter of Virginia Governor Godwin, killed by lightning *

Glen Stewart Godwin Glen Stewart Godwin (born June 26, 1958) is an American fugitive and convicted murderer who was added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on December 7, 1996, nine years after he escaped from Folsom State ...

(born 1958), American murderer, former FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitive *

Mike Godwin Michael Wayne Godwin (born October 26, 1956) is an American attorney and author. He was the first staff counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and he created the Internet adage Godwin's law and the notion of an Internet meme, as rep ...

(born 1956), American lawyer, created Godwin's law of Internet discussions (mentioning Hitler)

Given name

Godwin Emefiele Godwin Emefiele is a Nigerian banker who has been serving as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria since 4 June 2014. Born on 4 August 1961 in Lagos State, Nigeria, Emefiele is originally from Ika South, Agbor region of Delta State. Educat ...

, Nigerian banker *

Godwin Igwebuike Godwin Eric Igwebuike (born September 10, 1994) is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northwestern, Igwebuike was an undrafted free agent in 2018. ...

(born 1994), American football player *

Godwin Olofua Godwin Richard Olofua (born 18 April 1999) is a Nigerian badminton player who participated at local and international badminton competitions representing Nigeria and has won several trophies. Olofua won gold medal in the mixed team event with s ...

, Nigerian badminton player *

Godwin Samararatne Acharya Godwin Samararatne (6 September 1932 – 22 March 2000) was one of the best known lay meditation teachers in Sri Lanka in recent times. During his teaching career he was based at his Meditation Centre at Nilambe in the central hill countr ...

, Sri Lankan teacher

Fictional characters

Neil Godwin ''The Office'' is a British television mockumentary sitcom first broadcast in the UK on BBC Two on 9 July 2001. Created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the programme follows the day-to-day lives of office employees ...

, from ''The Office''

Places

Godwin, North Carolina Godwin is a town in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 139 at the 2010 census. History Godwin was named after Isaac William Godwin, a pioneer settler. Geography Godwin is located in northeastern Cumberland County ...

Godwin-Austen Glacier The Godwin-Austen Glacier is a glacier in the Karakoram range and is close to K2, the second tallest peak on Earth, in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. It is the highest mountain peak in Pakistan. Its confluence with the Baltoro Glacier is called ...

Other uses

* ''

General Godwin ''General Godwin'' was a convict ship that transported fifteen convicts from Calcutta, India to Fremantle, Western Australia in 1854. It arrived in Fremantle on 28 March 1854. The fifteen convicts were all soldiers who had been convicted by court ...

'', convict ship * "Godwin" (song), a song by Nigerian artiste Korede Bello *

Godwin's law Godwin's law, short for Godwin's law (or rule) of Nazi analogies, is an Internet adage asserting that as an online discussion grows longer (regardless of topic or scope), the probability of a comparison to Nazis or Adolf Hitler approaches 1. Pr ...

on comparison with Nazis, named after American lawyer Mike Godwin *

Mills E. Godwin High School Mills Edwin Godwin High School is a public high school located in the West End region of unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia. The school is operated by Henrico County Public Schools. History Godwin High School opened in 1981, named in honor ...