Show ContentsForkin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Forkin family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Forkin comes from the Old English personal name which means son of Goldwin, which literally means friend of gold. [1]

Early Origins of the Forkin family

The surname Forkin was first found in Essex where the family date back to the Domesday Book of 1086. At that time, it was listed as Goldinc. [2] Over two hundred years later, Golding Aldred was listed c. 1224. William, Richard Golding were both listed in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1202 and later in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cheshire in 1210. William Gulding was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. [3]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included listings for the name as a forename and surname: Golding Palmarius, Kent; Hilde Golden, Cambridgeshire; Nicholas Goldin, Oxfordshire; Thomas Goldine, Oxfordshire; and Hugo Golding, Suffolk.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Willelmus Goldyng; Robertus Goldyng, pelliparius; and Isabella Goldyng, Howdenshire. [4]

In Scotland "the rashness of a Scots soldier, Ralph Golding, at the bridge of Rokesburgh in 1333 led to Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell, the Regent, being taken prisoner by the English." [5]

Early History of the Forkin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forkin research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1316, 1325, 1536, 1547, 1549, 1563, 1576, 1577, 1579, 1580, 1584, 1585, 1595, 1605, 1672 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Forkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forkin Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Forkin include Goulding, Golding and others.

Early Notables of the Forkin family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Arthur Golding (c.1536-c.1605), an English translator of more than 30 works from Latin into English, most famous for his translation of Caesar's Commentaries. He was younger son of John Golding, Esq., of Belchamp St. Paul and Halsted, Essex, by his second wife. His father was one of the auditors of the exchequer, and died 28 Nov. 1547. In 1549 he was in the service of Protector Somerset, who wrote, 5 Oct., requesting him to solicit the aid of the Earl of Oxford's servants in...
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Forkin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Forkin family to Ireland

Some of the Forkin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Forkin migration to Canada +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Forkin or a variant listed above:

Forkin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Barbara Forkin, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "City of Derry" departing 23rd May 1847 from London, England; the ship arrived on 4th July 1847 but she died on board [6]

Contemporary Notables of the name Forkin (post 1700) +

  • Chelsea Forkin (b. 1989), Australian baseball and softball player


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 76)


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