An archaic or rare term, possibly referring to a wealthy man of good character, combining 'good' and 'rich'; also a surname.
Compound of Old English 'gōd' (good) and 'rice' or 'rich' (from Old English 'rīce,' meaning wealthy or powerful). Likely formed during the medieval period as a descriptive epithet that later became a family surname, following the pattern of English surname formation.
Medieval people would describe someone as 'goodrich'—combining their virtue with their wealth—and sometimes that description stuck as a family name. It's a reminder that before surnames were standardized, people's names literally described who they were: 'good-and-rich' guy became the family Goodrich, kind of like naming your kid 'Lucky Smith.'
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