Show ContentsGouldie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gouldie was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Gouldie family lived in Edinburghshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. Gouldie is an ancient Scottish name that evolved from the Goldie, which derives from the Old English personal name Gold.

Early Origins of the Gouldie family

The surname Gouldie was first found in Edinburghshire, where the name appears from about 1598 onwards and later in the forms Gowdie, Gaudie, Goddie. "Robert Gowdie was a writer in Edinburgh, 1643 and John Gawdie was one of 'those who ere matriculat in the Companie of Merchands of Edinbergh,' 1687. William Goudie in Ayr, 1689. The surname was early carried to the north appearing in Shetland first in 1576 in the person of Gawane Gadie of Lougasettar, Dunrossness." 1

Early History of the Gouldie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gouldie research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1783 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Gouldie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gouldie Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Gouldie has been spelled Goudie, Gouday, Goudey, Goudy, Gowdy, Gowdie, Gadie, Goodie, Gady and many more.

Early Notables of the Gouldie family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gouldie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gouldie family to Ireland

Some of the Gouldie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gouldie family

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them: Thomas Gowdy, who was on record at Long Cane in Abbeyville, South Carolina in 1756; James Gaddy, who came to Canada in 1791; Alexander Goudey who settled in New England in 1792.


Contemporary Notables of the name Gouldie (post 1700) +

  • Archibald Edward "Archie" Gouldie (1936-2016), Canadian professional wrestler, known by the ring name The Mongolian Stomper


The Gouldie Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Honestas
Motto Translation: Honesty.


  1. 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)


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