| ![Show Contents]() Goffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Goffe is derived from the Welsh word "coch," which means "red." Goffe was originally a nickname for a ruddy or red-complexioned person, which later became a hereditary surname. 1 Iolo Goch or the Red (fl. 1328-1405), a Welsh bard, whose real name is said to be Edward Llwyd, was Lord of Llechryd and resided at Coed Pantwn in Denbighshire. 2 Early Origins of the Goffe familyThe surname Goffe was first found in Radnorshire (Welsh: Sir Faesyfed), a former historic county of mid-Wales, anciently part of the kingdom of Powys. However, while the name is a well known Welsh name, we must look to England to find some of the first records in early rolls. Robert Gogh was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1287 and later in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset. 3 Again in Somerset, Robert Gogh was listed in the rolls there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 4 It was not until 1576, that we find Thomas Goughe listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Wales. 3 Early History of the Goffe familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goffe research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1467, 1528, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1570, 1591, 1605, 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, 1623, 1624, 1629, 1642, 1652, 1660, 1661, 1679, 1681 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Goffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Goffe Spelling VariationsAlthough there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Goffe have included Gough, Goff, Gof, Goffe and others. Early Notables of the Goffe familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was - Thomas Goffe (1591-1629) was a Jacobean dramatist born in Essex. Stephen Goffe (Gough) C.O. (1605-1681), was a Royalist agent of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and later an Oratorian priest, born at...
- Thomas Goffe or Gough (1591-1629), was an English divine and poet, son of a clergyman, was born in Essex in 1591. 2
- William Goffe or Gough (d. 1679?), English regicide, was the son of Stephen Goffe, rector of Stanmer in Sussex. "He was apprenticed to a London salter named Vaughan, and in 1642 was imprisoned by the...
- John Goffe or Gough (1610?-1661), was an English divine, the son of Stephen Goffe or Gough, rector of Stanmer in Sussex, 'a severe Puritan.' 2
 Migration of the Goffe family to Ireland
Some of the Goffe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Goffe migration to the United States | + |
Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Goffe:
Goffe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Robert Goffe, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 5
- John Goffe, who arrived in New England in 1630 5
- Edward Goffe who settled in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1630
- Eliza Goffe, aged 26, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 5
- Marie Goffe, aged 18, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 5
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Goffe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Goffe, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1820 5
- Thomas Goffe, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 5
| Goffe migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Goffe Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Margaret Goffe, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1838
| Contemporary Notables of the name Goffe (post 1700) | + |
- John Goffe (1701-1786), American soldier in colonial America, eponym of Goffstown, New Hampshire and the Goffe's Falls neighborhood of Manchester, New Hampshire
- George W. Goffe, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Hampshire, 1876 6
- Rusty Goffe (b. 1948), English actor, best known for his appearances in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Star Wars Episode IV-A New Hope, and the Harry Potter franchise
- Lloyd Goffe (1913-1984), British motorcycle speedway rider from Reading
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Goffe migration to the United States 
Goffe migration to Canada 
Wales
Ireland
