Show ContentsGolda History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Golda came from the Old English word Gold. This term was often used as an endearment or show of affection. 1

"This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gold.' from the Anglo-Saxon word gold, metaphorically precious." 2

Another source notes the name denotes a "descendant of Gold or Golda, Old English personal names derived from the metal." 3

Early Origins of the Golda family

The surname Golda was first found in Suffolk where Hugo filius Goldce was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 4 "Golde and Goldus are personal names in the Domesday Book" 2

Other early records include: Ralph filius Golde registered in the Pipe Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1193; Golde Bassat in the Hundredorum Rolls of Cheshire in 1279; Walter Golde in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1165; Ralph Golde in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1268; and John Gulde in Cornwall in 1297. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls has the name listed as a forename and a surname: Adam Gold; Golda Imayn; and Golda Bassat, Cambridgeshire. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls includes Willelmus Golde, 1370; and Ricardus Gold, 1379.

In Scotland, more often than not, the name is spelt Guild and variants of the same. It is generally thought that Goold (Gold) is a variant. 5 3

Here, the first record was of Alexander Gulde who rendered to Exchequer the accounts of the bailies of Stirling, 1421 and 1425. Thomas Gulde and William Gulid, 'husbandis,' were charter witnesses, 1481, and Henry Guld is mentioned in a Scone document of 1491. 5

Early History of the Golda family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golda research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1193, 1312, 1500, 1502, 1512, 1521, 1584, 1586, 1593, 1619, 1644, 1657, 1659, 1675, 1676, 1678, 1709, 1710, 1734, 1794 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Golda History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golda Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Golda family name include Gould, Goold, Gold, Gilder and others.

Early Notables of the Golda family

Notables of the family at this time include James Gould (1593-1676), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1659 and 1676; and Thomas Gould (ca. 1619-1675), the first pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston in Boston, Massachusetts.Sir Henry Gould the Elder (1644-1710), was an English judge, son and heir of Andrew Gould of Winsham, Somersetshire. Sir Henry Gould the Younger (1710-1794), was an English judge, the fourth son of Davidge Gould of Sharpham...
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Golda Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Golda family to Ireland

Some of the Golda family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 116 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Golda family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Golda surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Nathaniell Gould, who settled in Virginia in 1620; Ann Gould, who settled in Maryland in 1651; Jeremiah Gould, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1637; Mary Gould, who arrived in Boston in 1640.


Contemporary Notables of the name Golda (post 1700) +

  • Golda Clarkin, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 1960 6
  • Golda Kerl (b. 1921), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 2004 7
  • Golda Skuse, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1948 8
  • Golda R. Waters, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1936 9


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  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. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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