This interesting surname is of French origin, and derives from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements "god", god, good, and "hari", army; hence, "good-army" or "god-army". Pre 7th Century Germanic, Anglo-Saxon and Norse baptismal names were usually distinctive compounds whose elements were often associated with the Gods of Fire, Water and War. The surname was introduced into England by the French Huguenots (see below). During the mid to late 17th Century thousands of French Huguenots fled to England and other countries, to escape religious persecution on the Continent, especially after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis X1V in 1685. Recordings of the surname from English Church Registers include: the christening of Jean, son of Jean and Susanne Godier, on July 12th 1691, at the Walloon or Strangers Church, Kent; the christening of Charles, son of Jacques and Marye Godier, on December 16th 1605, at the Artillery, French Huguenot Church, London; and the christening of Pierre, son of Pierre and Judith Godier, at Savoye de Spring Gardens and des Grecs, French Huguenot Church, London, on March 13th 1736. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Suzanne Godier, which was dated July 10th 1663, marriage to Jean Chocquet, at Amiens, Somme, France, during the reign of King Louis X1V of France, 1643 - 1715. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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