| ![Show Contents]() Goosen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of GoosenWhat does the name Goosen mean? The surname Goosen originated in the Dutch-speaking regions of the Low Countries as a patronymic name, one based upon the given name of the father of the initial bearer. In this instance, "Goossen" is an old Dutch-Flemish version of the ancient Germanic personal name "Gottwin," derived from the Old High German words "gott", meaning "god", and "wini", denoting a "friend." By extension, the name means "son of Goos/Goossen," Goswin which means "friend of the Goths (gos)." This ancient personal name dates back to at least Gosse Ludigman (d. c. 1000), the legendary potestaat (elected governor) of Friesland. Early Origins of the Goosen familyThe surname Goosen was first found in Zwolle, in the Netherlands where Gherd Gosenssoen was recorded in 1399. Later in 1449, Henric Goessenssoen was recorded multiple times in the same region. This surname was introduced to South Africa in the late seventeenth century by Jean Baptiste Goossen, a native of the town of Londerzeel in what is now Belgian Brabant. He worked as a shoe-maker's assistant in Stellenbosch and was married, on 13 July 1698, to the former Elisabeth Viant of Amsterdam, with whom he was to have three children. Early History of the Goosen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goosen research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1610, 1810, 1845, 1867, 1882, 1893, 1894, 1897, 1899, 1906, 1958, 1962, 1988 and 1991 are included under the topic Early Goosen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Goosen Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Goossens, Goessens, Goosen, Goossen(s), Goosen(s), Ghoosen, Gooessens, Goofsens, Gosens, Goissen, Goysens, Gos(s)in, Gozin, Gosain, Gossijns, Gossen(s), Goes(s)ens, Goussen(s) , Gussen(s) and many more. Early Notables of the Goosen familyJohan Goessens, who was recorded at Nijmegen in 1543. "The children of Peter Wouters (born ca. 1610) take the surname Goossens, after the name of their great-grandfather. Occasionally, Peter Wouters himself has Goossens added to his name."
Eugène Goossens (1845-1906) was a Belgian conductor, born in Bruges. He was musical director of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, for whom he...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goosen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Goosen RankingSouth Africa, the name Goosen is the 529th most popular surname with an estimated 13,466 people with that name. 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Goosen (post 1700) | + |
- Sammy Goosen (1892-1920), South African bronze medalist cyclist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Frank Goosen (b. 1966), German comedian and author
- Retief Goosen (b. 1969), South African professional golfer
- Johan Goosen (b. 1992), South African rugby union footballer
 |
