Surname Going - Meaning and Origin

Going: What does the surname Going mean?

The last name Going is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name "Gohn". The prefix 'Go-' in Old English pertains to 'good' or 'god' and the suffix '-ing' means son of, hence 'son of good' or 'son of god'. It was a rule in the Anglo-Saxon culture to add 'ing' to a personal name to create a patronymic surname. Over the years, with changes in language and pronunciation, 'Gohn' evolved into 'Going'. It could also have been a name given to a person who was in the habit of going on pilgrimages or a task that involved a lot of going around. Thus, it might also mean 'one who goes'. Another possible origin could be the Old English word 'gong' which means a road or passage. So the surname could mean 'dweller by the road'. As with any surname, the exact interpretation can vary and would be specific to a particular family or lineage.

Going: Where does the name Going come from?

The surname Going is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, particularly from Old England. Many theories suggest that it is a patronymic form of the name ‘Gowan’ which is derived from the Middle English term ‘Gowen’, itself originating from the old Gaelic name ‘Eòghan’. It was later anglicized to the forms Going, Goings, Gowing, Gowen and even Goin.

In the Middle Ages, the name gradually spread across various regions of England and Ireland. Over centuries, due to British colonization and emigration, individuals carrying the surname Going settled in different parts of the world, with a notable presence in the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Today, the surname Going is comparatively less common but can still be found, primarily in English-speaking countries. According to recent census data, the surname Going is most prevalent in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. However, its exact concentration in other parts of the world is difficult to determine due to its rarity. In general, the distribution of the surname Going continues to reflect patterns of historical migration and settlement.

Variations of the surname Going

The surname Going is believed to have originated from various sources. It could be an adaptation of the Scottish surname "Gow", a nickname for the Gaelic "Gobha" which means a blacksmith. It was Anglicized as Gow and later, further changed to Going. Other speculations mention its origin from the English name "Goheen" which was often pronounced as "Gowen" and finally "Going".

Alternate spellings for the surname Going include Goyne, Goynes, Goen, Goins, Gowing, Gowinges, Goings, Goin, Goan, Gowon and Goyn. Similar surnames that are often linked with the name Going include Gawen, Gwyn, and Gones.

Sometimes, name variations are due to the error by the clerk who penned the names. As such, single individuals have been found with their surname spelt in different forms in different documents.

The surname Going was first found in Inverness in Scotland where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Many members of the Going family migrated to various colonies, primarily in America and Australia, during the 17th to 19th centuries, causing the name and its variations to spread. Thus, the surname Going and its variants could be found in several parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Going

• Kenneth Going: Kenneth Going is famous for his career in rugby. He played as a wing and represented New Zealand in international rugby union.
• Sid Going: Brother to Kenneth Going, Sid Going is also recognized in the world of rugby. He played at halfback for the New Zealand national team, All Blacks, from 1967 to 1977.
• Brian Going: Another member of the Going family who is known for his contribution to the rugby. Brian Going, brother of Kenneth and Sid Going, played provincial rugby as a center, fullback, and wing.
• Mark Going: The son of Brian Going, Mark also followed in the family tradition of playing rugby. He played as a hooker for Northland in the National Provincial Championship.
• Grant Going: He is a former rugby union player from New Zealand. Playing as a wing or center, Grant is also a part of the famous Going rugby family.
• Sue Going: The daughter of Ken Going, she is famous as a harness racing driver who won several awards in New Zealand.
• Buffalo Going: A professional footballer from the United States, best known for his time with the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. It's noteworthy to say this family has left its lasting influence, mostly in the rugby world.

Other surnames

GoinGoingsGoins