Surname Goff - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling The Layers Of Goff: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test Results
When I received the results of my iGENEA DNA test, my worldview about the heritage associated with my surname, 'Goff, underwent seismic shifts. The unexpected revelations from my ancestral lineage, showing strong Irish roots and connections to Viking heritage, added layers of depth to my understanding and appreciation of our family name.
P. Goff
read moreGoff: What does the surname Goff mean?
The surname Goff has both English and Irish origins. In English, it is derived from the Medieval personal name "Golias" or "Golde", which means gold. It could have possibly been given to someone who was precious or bright. It could also refer to a person's occupation, particularly if they dealt with gold, such as goldsmiths or refiners. There are several variations of this surname including Gough, Goffe, and Goff.
In Irish, Goff is a form of the Gaelic surname "Mag Eochadha", which means "son of Eochaidh". Eochaidh is an Old Irish personal name generally interpreted as meaning 'horseman'. It has been anglicized to many forms including Mageoghegan, Gegan, Geoghegan, and Goff. Some suggest it could be a corrupted form of the Welsh word "coch" meaning "red", denoting someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
So depending on the lineage of the person with the Goff surname, it could carry different interpretations from being valued as gold or being a horseman.
Order DNA origin analysisGoff: Where does the name Goff come from?
The surname Goff has multiple potential origins. It could be of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh personal name "Goch" (or "Goff"), which means "red". It's also possible it emerged from the Germanic personal name "Godafrid" or "Gaufrid", meaning "God’s peace".
This surname could also be associated with Anglo-Norman French origins, where it was used as an occupational name for a mace-bearer or a master of the battle-axe, from the Old French word "goffe" relating to the Germanic word "gauz," meaning mace or club.
In Ireland, the surname Goff could come from "MacGoff", which is derived from "gabh", meaning "take" or "seize".
Today, Goff is a common surname in the United States predominantly. According to Forebears, a website dedicated to documenting surname distribution, the surname Goff is most prevalent in the United States with over 52,000 bearers of the name. It's also found in Australia, England, and Canada, albeit less abundantly.
Variations of the surname Goff
The surname Goff is of English and Welsh origin, deriving from the Old Norse name "Gautr" meaning Goth, the name of a Scandinavian tribe, and the Old English pre 7th Century "Gofa" meaning a smith. It could have also been a nickname for a powerful or strong person.
The surname Goff has several variants and is interchanged with many similar surnames. Some variants include Gough, Goffe, Goffo, and Gof. In some instances, the name could have been spelled as Gooch, Gouge, or even Goffin. It is also not uncommon to find it spelled as Goph, Goffee or Goughie.
Some surnames of similar origin include Goth, which comes from the same Scandinavian tribe name, and Smith, which shares a common meaning. There are numerous ways that the name could have been spelled over the years, especially given that spelling standards were not always rigidly applied in past centuries.
Bear in mind, the frequency and prevalence of particular spellings and variants can vary widely depending on the region and country, as well as historical period. This is particularly true for a widely-dispersed surname like Goff or Gough.
Famous people with the name Goff
- Jared Goff: An American football quarterback who currently plays for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
- Robert Goff, Baron Goff of Chieveley: A British Law Lord and senior judge.
- David Goff: A Grammy award-winning music producer popularly known for his work with Michael Jackson.
- Pippa Goff: A British casting director known for her work in films like "The BFG".
- Ryan Goff: A renowned American news reporter and personality.
- Bruce Goff: An American architect recognized for his organic, innovative designs.
- Juliette Goff: A French actress known for her roles in TV series and films.
- Lyndall Goff: A well-known Australian actress who has appeared in a number of reputable plays, films, and TV series.
- Joshua Goff: A British actor and writer known for his screenplays and TV features.
- Cathy Goff: An American country singer popularly known for her folk and country music albums.
- Sara Goff: An American author famous for her fictional literature.
- Geoff Goff: An English footballer who played for teams like Arsenal and West Ham United.