What is the origin of the surname Godbehere?

Answer 1

It was one of the ancient names of the 'Dark Ages' which originate from the pre 7th century Anglo-Saxon and Old German name Godebert, meaning literally 'Bright god'. Although recorded in England before the Norman French Conquest of 1066 it was for a century or so after that event, that it was at its most popular. Later these early almost pagan names were superceeded by the Christian names which flooded into Europe after the Crusades to the Holy Land in the 12th century, when all names with biblical associations became the fashion.