People Description in Will

[Phil L]

I have a will written in 1618 the person has written Godchildren in a number of spots regarding to a number of different people could she be meaning Grand children? And also she has written Son-in-Law also referring to a number of people could this be sons as it seems to fit well with the tree I have if this is the case. Is this likely wording or am I jumping to unrealistic conclusions?

[Coromandel]

Godchild/grandchild
Someone could be both grandparent and godparent to the same child, but as far as I know the two terms have never been synonymous.

Son-in-law
Besides 'daughter's husband' this term also once meant 'step-son'.

[cicilysmith]

Prior to Cromwell, one of the most important naming patterns was the naming of a child after its godparent. If you read some of George Redmonds' books, he talks about this. Someone who was reasonably successful might easily acquire a dozen godchildren. I've seen this many listed in early wills. They might also be relatives of some sort, by blood or marriage. cicilysmith

[Peter Goodey]

From the The Oxford Dictionary of Local and Family History...

Godparent. A family friend who sponsors a child at baptism. The ancient practice was for a child to have two godparents of his or her own sex and one of the other. Godparents had an important influence on choosing the name of their godchild.

Son-in-law. The term was often used to mean ‘stepson’. A ‘son-in-law’ was often referred to as ‘son’.