History of the Godsil Name
Godsil
English: a habitational name for someone from Gadshill in Kent, or either of two places called Godshill in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, or Godsell Farm in Wiltshire, which were all originally named Godeshyll, that is "God’s hill." http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx?name=Godsil
Surname: Godsil
This interesting and curious surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of the places called Gadshill (Kent), recorded as “Godeshyll” in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles in 973; Godshill (Isle of Wight), which appears as “Godesmanescamp” in the Domesday Book of 1086; or Godshill (Wiltshire), found as “Godeshull” in the Episcopal Registers of circa 1270.
These place names are composed of either the Olde English pre-7th Century personal name “Goda”, Good or God, plus the Olde English “-hyll”, a hill. During the Middle Ages, when migration for the purpose of job-seeking was becoming more common, people often took their former village name as a means of identification, resulting in a wide dispersal of the name.
The surname first appears in records in the early 13th Century (see below), while one Hugh de Godeshull is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1230. Other early examples include Thomas de Godeshelle, mentioned in the “Letter Books of London” in 1309, and Richard Godeshulle, who appears in the Sussex Subsidy Rolls of 1327. James Godsell married Sarah Dixon on October 13th 1682, at St. Mary Magdalene’s, Old Fish Street, London. A Coat of Arms granted to the family depicts a gold cross botonee on a black shield, and a Crest showing an arm erect holding a spade proper. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh de Godeshill, which was dated 1225, in the “Assize Court Rolls of Somersetshire”, during the reign of King Henry III, known as “The Frenchman”, 1216 - 1272.
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. http://www.shanklin.shalfleet.net/godshill.htm
Godshill, Isle of Wight
Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I’ve done my best to scan them. Please click thumbnails for full size picture. Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible).
The origin of the name Godshill supposedly results from the foundations of the church being moved from the bottom to the top of the hill on three occasions whilst it was being built. This was taken to be a sign from God that the church should be built on the hill, hence the name Godshill. It is now considered one of the prettiest villages on the Island with its thatched cottage and is the home to several tea rooms.
Memories of Gads Hill, Kent
“This red-brick Georgian house, with bay windows and surmounted by a small white cupola, was coveted by the author Charles Dickens ever since he was a boy living at Chatham; he often passed it on long walks with his father. He eventually lived in Gads Hill.” Read more from Victorian and Edwardian Kent Photographic Memories
http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/kent/gads+hill/gads+hill.htm
Gadshill in Kent, near Rochester
Famous for the attack of Sir John Falstaff and three of his knavish companions on a party of four travellers, whom they robbed of their purses. While the robbers were dividing the spoil, Poins and the Prince of Wales set upon them, and “outfaced them from their prize;” and as for the “Hercules of flesh,” he ran and “roared for mercy, and still ran and roared,” says the prince, “as ever I heard a bull-calf.” Gadshill is also the name of one of the thievish companions of Sir John. (Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., ii. 4.)
Godshill in Hampshire
Godshill is a village in Hampshire, United Kingdom, close to Fordingbridge. The town is small, somewhat rural in setting and has a strong sense of community. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godshill,_Hampshire
Godshill, Isle of Wight
Welcome to Godshill’s secret garden. We’ve hidden our little treasure behind a high stonewall to keep it special and unique. Our beautiful garden is home to two churches, four pubs, an airfield, a railway, three hot air balloons, an airship, over 2,500 carefully shaped conifers and shrubs...plus countless little islanders going about their daily lives. This year we have opened our newly renovated self catering apartment, overlooking the garden. We are thrilled that is has been given four stars by Visit Britain! Have a look and see — if you book to stay with us you have unlimited visits to the Model Village during your stay. Our family has tended this wonderful folly for the past 35 years and we passionately believe you will be amazed by what you find here… Use your nose, map or satellite navigation to seek us out! See you soon!
Penny & Stuart, http://www.wightonline.co.uk/gallery/godshill/
Godsell’s Church Farm Cheese , Wiltshire
We are fifth generation dairy farmers producing a range of farmhouse cheeses using milk from our Stroud herd of Friesans. We sell at Stroud and Nailsworth farmers’ markets. We produce Cheddar, Double Gloucester, Single Gloucester, Cheshire, Smoked Cheese, and Cotswold soft cream Cheese. Our cheese is also available from the following local retailers: Pound Farm shop, Over Farm Market, Frocester Fayre Farm shop, Tony’s Delicatessen in Kings Stanley, Whiteshill Village Shop, Tortworth Estate Farm Shop, and Local Co-ops. We also supply retailers and caterers. National Dairy Farm Assured Scheme Member. Visitors welcome by arrangement.
All were originally named Godeshyll, that is "God’s hill."