Show ContentsGoree Surname History

  • Origins Available:
  • Scotland
Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Etymology of Goree

What does the name Goree mean?

Goree comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Goraidh, an Old Norse forename. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Goraidh, which means son of Goraidh. or son of Godfrey.

Early Origins of the Goree family

The surname Goree was first found in on the Isle of Skye, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Goree family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goree research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1380 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Goree History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goree Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Goree has appeared as MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGory, MacGorey and others.

Early Notables of the Goree family

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

Goree Ranking

the United States, the name Goree is the 9,567th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Goree family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Goree or a variant listed above: Hugh MacGorry, who came to Philadelphia in 1852; David and James MacGory, who settled in Philadelphia in 1856; and Thomas MacGorrie, who was on record in Texas in 1875..

Contemporary Notables of the name Goree (post 1700) +

  • John D. Goree, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1940, 1952, 1956 2
  • H. G. Goree, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1896 3
  • Churchill P. Goree, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Georgia, 1912, 1920 3
  • Roger Goree (b. 1951), American football player in the Canadian Football League for eight seasons
  • Captain Thomas Jewett "TJ" Goree (1835-1905), American Confederate Lieutenant in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War, he was portrayed by Ivan Kane in the film Gettysburg (1993)
  • Marcus Goree (b. 1977), American professional basketball player
  • Billye Goree Burns, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 3
  • Goree Ashford, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1916 4
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Joseph W Goree (1966-1985), American Private from Edwardsville, Illinois, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 5
  • Mr. Frank Goree (d. 1912), aged 40, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 6
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 5) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  6. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html

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