In History

This page is a guide to historical Godsafes that we have found, further Godsafe Genealogy information can also be found on our Godsafe derivatives page.

If you have any details about a Godsafe that you feel should be included on this page please contact us.

Evolution

Early records have indicated that the Godsafe surname evolved as follows:

Roger God-Save-Ladies, 1086

Nicholas Agodeshalf, 1206

Alexander Agodeshalve, 1260

Hugo Ogodishalve, 1264

Hugo Ongodishalve, 1271

William of E Godeshalve, 1311

Henry Godsalve, 1337

John Godeshalf, 1376

John Godsaff, 1662

Eustace Godsafe, 1662

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From Murky Beginnings ?

Many Godsafe and Godsaves in Essex are (dis-)reputed to be descended from Roger God-Save-Ladies (a rather dubious name!).

Please contact us if you have any further information about Roger or his family.

Roger was listed as an Essex landowner in the Domesday Book in Essex in 1086 and was ascribed with owning the following areas of land:

Felsted (Hickford Hundred)

The manor of Felsted consists of five hides (a measure of land, common in Domesday Book and old English charters, the quantity of which is not well ascertained, but has been differently estimated at 80, 100, and 120 acres), four of which are held by Holy Trinity, Caen.

King William gave three virgates (an early English measure of land area of varying value, often equal to about 30 acres or 12 hectares) of the fifth hide to Roger God-Save-Ladies and the fourth to Gilbert son of Solomon.

Wulfsi held Felsted under Earl Algar as a manor for half a hide and thirty acres.
Always two ploughs in Lordship.
Three slaves.
Woodland, twenty pigs.
Meadow, 10 acres.
Value then 30 shillings, value now 40 shillings.

Rivenhall (Witham Hundred)

Wulfsi, a free man, held Rivenhall as a manor for 30 acres before 1066.
Always one plough.
Value 20 shillings.

Great Baddow (Chelmsford Hundred)

Wulfsi, a free man, held (Great) Baddow as a manor for one and a half hides.
Then one smallholder, later and now three smallholders.
Always four slaves, two ploughs in lordship.
Woodland, forty pigs.
Meadow, eight acres.
Value always 40 shillings.

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To City Sycophants ?

Also from the Dictionary of Surnames are the following records:

Agnes, the sister of Thomas a Becket married a member of an old city family, Theobald Agodshalf who was baron of Hulles or Helles in Ireland.

The seal of Matthew, son of Robert a Godeshalf (1202-1216), bore the Legend Sigill. Mathei ex parte Dei. so that at the beginning of the 13th Century the surname had become hereditary in London.
As far as we can tell this translates as 'The Seal of Matthew, in part of God'. If you can more accurately translate this latin text please contact us.

Item given to the nurce and mydwife of Maistres Goddeshalf, my ladies grace being godmother to his childe.1536, Privy Purse Exp, Princess Mary.

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A Brief Dynasty ?

The 16th Century court artist, Hans Holbein (The Younger) painted the two portraits below, which are of Sir Thomas Godsalve and his son Sir John Godsalve. It is possible that the second portrait is held in The Royal Collection.

We currently know nothing of their history other than Sir Thomas was a landowner born in Norwich, who was also a notary and judge. His son John later became a secretary to the Chancellor, then was the head of the Royal Mint.
If you have any further details about either them or the whereabouts of the original portraits please contact us.

Please click on either of the portraits below to see them in their full glory:

Sir Thomas Godsalve and his son John Painted in 1528 - owned/held by The Old Masters Gallery, Dresden

Sir John Godsalve

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A Lasting Legacy ?

Besides the parish church of Old Harlow, Essex, England there is a small street simply called Godsafe that contains some poor-houses that still bear the legend "GODSAFE".

A plaque commemorating the provision of these houses is still on the inner wall of the parish church and reads:

SACRED
To the Memory of the
REVEREND
Mr JOHN a GODS HALF
Vicar of Harlow
Who gave 2 Tenements
an Orchard 42 acres of Land
for the use of the Poor of
this Parish for ever
An Do M : D : XC

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