Gough History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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  Wales 
  Ireland 


The name Gough is derived from the Welsh word "coch," which means "red." Gough 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 Gough family

The surname Gough 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 Gough family

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

Gough Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Gough has seen various spelling variations: Gough, Goff, Gof, Goffe and others.

Early Notables of the Gough family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Gough World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gough is the 3,061st most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Gough is ranked the 708th most popular surname with an estimated 5,531 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Gough is the 914th popular surname with an estimated 808 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Gough as 461st with 14,059 people. 8

Migration of the Gough family to Ireland

Some of the Gough 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.


Gough migration to the United States +

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Gough:

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

Gough migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Gough migration to Australia +

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

Gough Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Gough 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:

Gough Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Gough migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18
Gough Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Gough (post 1700) +
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