Show ContentsGoldsmith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Goldsmith Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Goldsmith

What does the name Goldsmith mean?

The origins the old family name Goldsmith can be found within medieval Austria. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common forms of a hereditary surnames in Germany, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Goldsmith family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Goldsmith was an occupational name for a goldsmith.

Early Origins of the Goldsmith family

The surname Goldsmith was first found in Austria, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that alpine land as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Goldsmith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goldsmith research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1783, 1793, 1802, 1825, 1862, 1866, 1878, 1920 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Goldsmith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goldsmith Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Goldsmith include Goldschmidt, Goldschmid, Goldshmid, Goldshmidt, Goldshmitt, Goldschmitt, Goldsmid and many more.

Early Notables of the Goldsmith family

Hermann Goldschmidt (1802-1866) astronomer and painter; Richard Goldschmidt (1878-1958), wrote on hereditary theories. Henriette Goldschmidt (1825-1920) was a feminist educator and advocator for a woman's right to a higher education. The name...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goldsmith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goldsmith World Ranking

the United States, the name Goldsmith is the 1,996th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Goldsmith is ranked the 943rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,198 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Goldsmith is the 848th popular surname with an estimated 862 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Goldsmith as 988th with 7,068 people. 4

Goldsmith migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Goldsmith or a variant listed above:

Goldsmith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Arthure Goldsmith, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Diana" 6
  • William Goldsmith, who landed in Virginia in 1638 6
  • Nicho Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 6
  • Richard Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1648 6
  • George Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Goldsmith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • L M Goldsmith, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 6
  • Abm Goldsmith, aged 56, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 6
  • Morris Goldsmith, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1812 6
  • Abraham Goldsmith, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 6
  • Henry Goldsmith, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1821 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith migration to Canada +

Goldsmith Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Goldsmith, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. Henry Goldsmith U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Collector of Customs in St. Andrews 7
  • Mr. Richard Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 7
  • Mr. Thomas Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 7
  • Mr. Thomas Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7
Goldsmith Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Goldsmith, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1825 8
  • William Goldsmith, who arrived in Canada in 1832
  • G. Goldsmith, aged 20, a gentleman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breakwater" from Plymouth, England
  • John Goldsmith, aged 19, a gentleman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breakwater" from Plymouth, England

Goldsmith migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. John Goldsmith, (1773 - 1836), aged 16, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 5
  • Miss Elizabeth Goldsmith, (Rainer, Rayner, Jones), (1765 - 1823), aged 23, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 6
Second Fleet
Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Goldsmith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Ann Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Miss Elizabeth Goldsmith, (b. 1809), aged 21, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl of Liverpool" in December 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. William Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Charles Kerr" on 6th June 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. Robert Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • William Goldsmith, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith 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:

Goldsmith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Harriet E. Goldsmith, (b. 1859), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 14
  • Mr. Edwin J. Goldsmith, (b. 1857), aged 9, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 14
  • Mr. Edwin Goldsmith, (b. 1832), aged 34, British cooper travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 14
  • Mrs. Mary Ann Goldsmith, (b. 1829), aged 37, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 14
  • Mr. James W. Goldsmith, (b. 1866), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith 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. 15
Goldsmith Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Farford Goldsmith, aged 22, who landed in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon" 6
  • William Goldsmith, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Goldsmith (post 1700) +

  • Paul Edward Goldsmith (1925-2024), American racing driver
  • Barbara Goldsmith (1931-2016), American author, journalist and philanthropist
  • Thomas Toliver Goldsmith Jr. (1910-2009), American television pioneer, co-inventor of the cathode ray tube
  • Bram Goldsmith (1923-2016), American real estate developer, banker and philanthropist, CEO and Chairman of City National Bank
  • Raymond W. Goldsmith (1904-1988), American economist
  • Jerrald King "Jerry" Goldsmith (1929-2004), American composer and conductor and one of the most nominated composers in the history of the Academy Awards
  • Kenneth Goldsmith (b. 1961), American poet
  • Lynn Goldsmith (b. 1948), American recording artist, film director and celebrity portrait photographer
  • Gordon A. Goldsmith, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Milford; Elected 1940 16
  • ... (Another 23 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Flight 191
  • M Goldsmith (d. 1979), American passenger from Chatsworth, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 17
  • Mr. Horace W Goldsmith (b. 1899), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Croydon, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18
  • Mr. Frank John Goldsmith (d. 1912), aged 33, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19
  • Mrs. Emily Alice Goldsmith, (née Brown), aged 31, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking in collapsible C 20
  • Master Frank John William Goldsmith, aged 9, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking in collapsible C 20
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Goldsmith +

  • The Goldsmiths of St. Mary's & Anne Arundel Counties, Maryland by Timothy Campbell Burke.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  5. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  6. 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)
  7. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  8. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-of-liverpool
  11. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 1st February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charles-kerr
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SOMERSETSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Somersetshire.htm
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  16. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  17. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
  18. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  19. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html

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