Goddard family

The Goddard family were a prominent landed family chiefly living in the northern regions of the English counties of Wiltshire and Hampshire and the western part of Berkshire, between the Tudor period and the early 20th century.

The Goddards were established at manors in Upper Upham, near Aldbourne, and at Clyffe Pypard (both in Wiltshire) from at least the late 15th century. From 1563 until 1927, the family were lords of the manor of Swindon, living on the Goddard Estate at the house known as The Lawn. Other important manors included Ogbourne St George in Wiltshire, Standen at Hungerford in Berkshire and Stargroves at East Woodhay in Hampshire.

Wiltshire Goddards

Upper Upham

The manor of Upper Upham, in Aldbourne parish south-east of Swindon, was held by Lacock Abbey from the 13th century until the dissolution, then in 1540 was purchased by John Goddard (died 1557). His grandson Richard (died 1614) built a substantial house there in 1599. The estate was sold by his descendants sometime before the early 18th century, but in 1870 was bought by Ambrose Lethbridge Goddard (1819–1898); his son Fitzroy Pleydell Goddard sold it in 1909. Upham House still stands, altered and extended in the early 20th century, and later divided into three dwellings.

The Lawn estate, Swindon

Thomas Goddard of Upham acquired the manor of Swindon in 1563 from the Crown. He later purchased the Crown Inn, renamed the Goddard Arms, which become Swindon's de facto Town Hall, courthouse and council rooms until the mid-19th century.