Show ContentsGolup History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Golup comes from its first bearer, who was a person who was a fast runner. The surname is derived from the Old Norman word walup and the Old French word galop. The word eventually became wallop which literally means to run. Therefore, the surname Golup described the physical abilities of the original bearer.

Another source agrees the name was of French origin but was derived from "a flat-bottomed boat used to load and unload ships, the surname being applied to the crew members." 1

And yet another source claims that the name could have been "local-the last syllable being a corruption of Hope-Galhope." 2 This latter simplistic entry essentially means that the 19th century author proposes that the name could have been a local name from "Hope-Galhope," a place that we cannot find today.

Early Origins of the Golup family

The surname Golup was first found in Dorset at Strode, where the family has "a tradition of Danish or Swedish descent from a soldier of fortune who was living in 1465." 2

Early History of the Golup family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golup research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1619, 1625, 1629, 1640, 1650 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Golup History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golup Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Golup has been spelled many different ways, including Gollop, Gallop, Gallup, Gollup and others.

Early Notables of the Golup family

Notables of the family at this time include George Gallop or Gollop (1590-1650), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Southampton (1625-1629) and (1640-1650). Son of Thomas Gallop, of Strode, Dorset, he was a wealthy merchant who acquired Southampton Castle in 1619. He built a windmill on the motte of the castle. Only...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Golup Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Golup family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Golups to arrive in North America: Anne, Christobel, Humphrey and John Gallop who settled in Nantasket in 1630.



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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