Govy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Wales
• Ireland

Early Origins of the Govy family

Early History of the Govy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Govy 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 Govy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Govy Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Govy have included Gough, Goff, Gof, Goffe and others.

Early Notables of the Govy family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir Matthew Gough knighted in the French wars.John Gough, Gowghe, Gowgh, Gouge (fl. 1528-1556), was an early English printer, stationer, and translator, first lived in Cheapside [London], "next to Paul's Gate, possibly in the house of John Rastell; he afterwards moved into Lombard Street, using the sign of the mermaid in both places. " 2John Gough (fl. 1570), was an English divine, "who seems not to have been of any university, was ordained deacon by Grindal, bishop of London, 14 Jan. 1559-1560. " 2Thomas Goffe (1591-1629) was a Jacobean dramatist born...
Another 194 words (14 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Govy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Govy family to Ireland

Some of the Govy 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.

Migration of the Govy family

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Govy were found: Edward Goffe who settled in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1630; John Goffe settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Robert Goffe and his wife settled in Virginia in 1622.