Show ContentsGouldin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Gouldin

What does the name Gouldin mean?

The origins of the name Gouldin are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the son of Goldwin. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Gouldin family

The surname Gouldin was first found in Oxfordshire where the first two records of the family appear in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Nicholas Goldin, Oxfordshire; and Thomas Goldine, Oxfordshire. The same rolls included Golding Palmarius, Kent; Hilde Golden, Cambridgeshire; and Hugo Golding, Suffolk. 1

In Hampshire, Walter Guldene, le Gelden was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1212 and later in Cambridgeshire, Hilde Golden was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. 2

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Goldyng; Robertus Goldyng, pelliparius; and Isabella Goldyng, Howdenshire. 1

Changes between the different suffixes were common as "the family of Golden, Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, are entered Golding in 1563; Goulden, 1707; and Golden, 1672." 1

Up in Scotland one of the family achieved notoriety of a different sort: "The rashness of a Scots soldier, Ralph Golding, at the bridge of Rokesburgh in 1333 led to Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell, the Regent, being taken prisoner by the English." 3

Early History of the Gouldin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gouldin research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1559, 1688 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Gouldin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gouldin Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Gouldin has been spelled many different ways, including Golden, Goldin, Goulden, Gouldin, Goulton and many more.

Early Notables of the Gouldin family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gouldin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gouldin family to Ireland

Some of the Gouldin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 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 Gouldin family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Gouldins to arrive in North America: George Golden settled in Virginia in 1652; Thomas Golden settled in New York in 1820; Hannah, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Golden, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. 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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