This interesting surname of English origin is derived from the old Norse personal name Gudormr, meaning "battle-snake". Gudrum, Gudram, the name of the first Danish King of East Anglia, is preserved in the York street-name Googramgate. The surname dates back to the late 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include Thomas Guderam (1283) "The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk". Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Goodram, Goodrum, Guthrum etc.. One Elizabeth, daughter of Leonard Gudram, was christened at St. Peter Paul's Wharf, London, on November 25th 1627. Jane Gooderam married Henry Taylor on December 7th 1651 at All Hallows, London Wall, and Thomas, son of John and Elizabeth Gooderham, was christened at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London on December 4th 1765. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh Godrum, witness, which was dated 1260, in the "Assize Rolls of Leicestershire", during the reign of King Henry 111, 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.

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