Gofer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Israel

Etymology of Gofer

What does the name Gofer mean?

The distinguished English surname Gofer is thought to be derived from the Old English nickname "Gofair," meaning "one who goes gently or quietly." It is likely that the name was initially bestowed as a nickname during the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Gofer family

The surname Gofer was first found in Oxfordshire, where the Gofer family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066; the language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. Many Anglo-Saxon surnames survived, however, and the Old English name Gofer was first referenced in the year 1223, when Gilbert Gofar was registered in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire.

Early History of the Gofer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gofer research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1240 is included under the topic Early Gofer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gofer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gover, Gofer, Gofair, Gopher, Govere, Govier and many more.

Early Notables of the Gofer family

More information is included under the topic Early Gofer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gofer migration to the United States +

Gofer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mr. Gofer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1797 1

Sources +

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)