Godoy
A surname of uncertain but likely Spanish place-name origin, with early forms tied to old Iberian toponyms.
The #3,070 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 26,411 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Godoy is usually treated as locational or topographic, connected with an old place-name rather than a personal nickname or occupation. The excerpted 19th-century source links it to the same root as earlier forms such as Gontoi and Gondoi, suggesting a very old Iberian name-base that later evolved in spelling. The exact original meaning is not securely established, so modern explanations should be cautious.
History
Godoy is a well-known Spanish surname, especially associated with the Iberian Peninsula and later Spanish-speaking diasporas. The name was notably borne by Manuel Godoy, the powerful minister under Charles IV of Spain, which helped keep it visible in historical memory. The surviving old forms in medieval documents suggest the surname has deep roots, but the precise etymology remains debated.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The surname became especially famous through Manuel Godoy, one of the most influential and controversial figures in late 18th-century Spain.
From the historical record
“OUVRAGES CONSULTÉS. X\'I Castellanos, par D. José Godoy Alcaxtaea. Madrid, Riva- deneyra, 1871, iu-12. Noms de lieux. Dictionnaire topographique de la France, comprenant”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)