This is a ancient English surname. Recorded in several forms as shown below, it derives from an even older Anglo-Saxon personal name "Godino". This pre 7th century given name is a patronymic formed of the elements "god" meaning good, and "-ino," to give the meaning of "the son of Good". The varied spellings of the surname include such forms as Godin, Goddin, Godden, Gooden, Gaudin, Guiden, Goodoune, Godain, and Guedon A number of the spellings show a considerable French influence and it is believed that they were introduced into England in the 17th century at the time of the persecution of the protestants (Huguenots) in France. Early examples of the surname recordings include Christopher Godden, a witness at the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, on October 20th 1594, Ann Goodin, recorded at St. Andrews Holborn, on march 18th 1607, and John Guiden, a witness at St. Mary's church Harmondsworth, Middlesex on December 26th 1677. Other recordings include Daniel Gaudin, a Huguenot refugee, recorded at Des Grecs French church, city of London on May 20th 1711. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Philip Guodin, which was dated 1280. He was a witness at the Somerset Assize Court, in Taunton, during the reign of King Edward 1st of England, 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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