The given name is derived from the Old French Godefroy, a name composed of the elements: the first being either God ("God") or gōd ("good"); the second being fred ("peace").
The name was brought to England by settlers from Normandy, the Low Countries, and France.
[1] The name is rendered Goraidh, Goiridh in Scottish Gaelic.
[2] In some cases the surname is derived from the Middle English personal name Godfrey, Godefrey; or the Old French Godefrei, Godefroi, Godefrois; or the Continental Germanic Godefrid.
In other cases, the surname is derived from the Irish Mac Gothraidh or Ó Gothraidh.