Golden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The earliest origins of the name Golden date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the son of Goldwin. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Golden family

The surname Golden was first found in Oxfordshire where the first two records of the family appear in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Nicholas Goldin, Oxfordshire; and Thomas Goldine, Oxfordshire. The same rolls included Golding Palmarius, Kent; Hilde Golden, Cambridgeshire; and Hugo Golding, Suffolk. 1

In Hampshire, Walter Guldene, le Gelden was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1212 and later in Cambridgeshire, Hilde Golden was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. 2

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Goldyng; Robertus Goldyng, pelliparius; and Isabella Goldyng, Howdenshire. 1

Changes between the different suffixes were common as "the family of Golden, Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, are entered Golding in 1563; Goulden, 1707; and Golden, 1672." 1

Up in Scotland one of the family achieved notoriety of a different sort: "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." 3

Early History of the Golden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golden research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1559, 1688 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Golden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golden 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 Golden include Golden, Goldin, Goulden, Gouldin, Goulton and many more.

Early Notables of the Golden family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Golden Ranking

In the United States, the name Golden is the 622nd most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Golden family to Ireland

Some of the Golden family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Golden migration to the United States +

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 Golden or a variant listed above:

Golden Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Golden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Golden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Golden migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Golden Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Golden Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Golden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Golden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Golden migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Golden Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Golden (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Golden +
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