The distinguished English surname Gopher 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.
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Early Origins of the Gopher family
The surname Gopher was first found in Oxfordshire, where the Gopher 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 Gopher was first referenced in the year 1223, when Gilbert Gofar was registered in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire.
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Early History of the Gopher family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gopher research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1240 is included under the topic Early Gopher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Gopher Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Gover, Gofer, Gofair, Gopher, Govere, Govier and many more.
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Early Notables of the Gopher family
More information is included under the topic Early Gopher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Gopher family
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Tho Gover, who immigrated to Virginia in 1653; Clement Gover, who settled in Maryland in 1665; Rich Gover, who came to Barbados in 1679; Anthony Govier, a bonded emigrant who arrived in Maryland in 1737.
Contemporary Notables of the name Gopher (post 1700)
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Melinda Gopher, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Montana at-large, 2010 1
England
