Contents [hide]

Golden History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Golden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland
Scotland

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:

Alexander Golden, was born at Dunse in Scotland, of which place his father was minister, on 17 Feb...

Golden Ranking

In the United States, the name Golden is the 622^nd 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

George Golden, who settled in Virginia in 1652
Mathew Golden, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 5
Nicholas Golden, who arrived in Maryland in 1664 5
Gabriel Golden, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 5
William Golden, who landed in Maryland in 1684 5

Golden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anthony Golden, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 5
Nathaniel Golden, who landed in Virginia in 1714 5

Golden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Golden, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 5
Peter Golden, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 5
Thomas Golden, who settled in New York in 1820
Charles Golden, who settled in Philadelphia in 1839
Hannah, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Golden, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Golden migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Golden Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Golden, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Thomas Golden, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752

Golden Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Golden, who arrived in Canada in 1812
James Golden, aged 24, who landed in Canada in 1812

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

Mr. William Golden, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Mr. Jonathan Golden, English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. Michael Golden, British Convict who was convicted in Quebec, Canada for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), transported from Quebec to England 8
Mr. Thomas Golden, English convict who was convicted in North Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Hugh Golden, aged 30, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Monsoon"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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

James Golden, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
Mr. Richard Golden, (b. 1863), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 10
Mrs. Ellen Golden, (b. 1831), aged 32, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 10
Mr. James Golden, (b. 1831), aged 32, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 10
Mr. John Golden, (b. 1856), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Golden (post 1700) +

Howard Golden (1925-2024), American Democratic Party politician, Borough President of Brooklyn, New York, 1977-2001; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1984, 1988, 1996 11
Marilyn Golden (1954-2021), American disability rights activist, most notably in the area of transportation, Policy Analyst at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
Rolland Harve Golden (1931-2019), American visual artist known mainly for his realism
William Lee Golden (b. 1939), American country music singer, best known as the baritone singer in the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys
Michael Henry Golden (1851-1929), American Major League Baseball player
William Nelson "Pop" Golden (1868-1949), American football and baseball coach
Martin J. Golden, American politician Member of the New York State Senate from the 22nd district (2003-)
James Stephen Golden (1891-1971), American politician, U.S. Representative, Kentucky 8th District (1949 to 1955)
Harry Lewis Golden (1902-1981), born Herschel Goldhirsch, an American Jewish writer and newspaper publisher
Christopher Golden (b. 1967), American author of horror, fantasy, and suspense novels
... (Another 64 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Golden family +

SS Atlantic

Jane M. Golden, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
John Golden, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Kate Golden, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Louise Golden, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

Triangle Waist Company

Miss Dora Golden, "Dvorka", American worker who was at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; she survived the fire 12

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canton
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (retrieved on 3rd August 2021.) Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire