Surname Goldfus - Meaning and Origin
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Goldfus: What does the surname Goldfus mean?
The last name Goldfus is of ultimately Germanic origin, derived from a combination of two words meaning “gold” and “foot”. The literal translation of the name is "gold foot" or "gold-footed". It is suggested that the name is derived from someone who wore golden footgear or who owned a horse with golden feet.
Goldfus is a common name in Europe, with a large presence in countries like Austria, Germany, Hungary and Poland. It is believed that the Goldfus family originated in what is now the Czech Republic during the Middle Ages, when many Germanic tribes settled in the area. From there, individuals with the Goldfus surname spread to other parts of Europe, especially after the devastation of World War II.
As for the meaning behind the name Goldfus, historians believe it may be associated with wealth, power, or privilege. In the Middle Ages, having a connection to gold was seen as a sign of great wealth and power. It could also point to a certain air of sophistication, as the nobility and wealthy are thought to have worn golden shoes and other luxurious apparel. It’s likely that the family name references this association.
As for the modern meaning of the name, there is no specific single interpretation. It can range from a general wealth and privilege signifier to a person or family who has had some degree of success over the years, likely due to their determination and hard work. Goldfus is a distinctive and meaningful name that has been around for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisGoldfus: Where does the name Goldfus come from?
The last name Goldfus is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, in particular in heavily-populated regions. In the US, the largest concentration of Goldfus families are found in Pennsylvania, followed closely by New York and California. There is also a small, but growing presence of Goldfus in the Midwest.
In Canada, the Goldfus family is most concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia. Interestingly, this family has a history of heredity in Quebec, where the name Goldfus is believed to have been adopted as a conversion to Judaism among European immigrants in the late 19th century.
Interestingly, Goldfus is a relatively rare name in most of Europe, with the exception of the former Soviet Union, particularly Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. It is most likely that the origin of this family is from Europe, with branches of the family having fled events such as the Holocaust or persecution in their homelands.
The Goldfus surname is uncommon, but it can also be found in South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Mexico. Overall, it is likely that this family spread to the United States and Canada due to various migrations throughout the past 150 years.
Variations of the surname Goldfus
Goldfus is a surname of German-Jewish origin. It is most commonly spelled Goldfuss, but there are several variations/spellings, including Goldfus, Goldfuss, Goellfuss, Goellfus, Goldfusser, Goldberg and Goellfusser.
Goldfus is primarily from the Ashkenazic Jewish communities, and is a derivative of the German occupational name of “gold making” or “goldsmith,” which is comprised of the old German words “gold” and “fuss.”
The Goldfus surname was also likely derived from a personal name such as “Godofor” or “Gudfrid” or “Godolph”; the endings “fus” or “fuss” is a German variant form of the ending “frid,” which is an old Germanic personal name.
Goldfus is also found as a Jewish surname in countries including Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, amongst others, due to the large Ashkenazic Jewish diaspora from Central and Eastern Europe.
Surnames derived from Goldfus include Goldfinger, Goldfried, Goldward, Goldshine, Goldschmidt, Goldwasser, and Goldweber. These surnames are likely derived from a combination of the Goldfus surname, and an old German occupational name.
The Goldfus surname is found in books, papers, genealogical records, military records, and surname databases in both its original form and many variants. The Goldfus surname is mostly related to people of German-Jewish origin, but can also be found in other countries or cultures.
Famous people with the name Goldfus
- Schmuel Goldfus (1883–1960), Lithuanian-born Irish World War I flying ace
- Leopold Goldfus (1913–1974),escaped European Jewish refugee,became successful US businessman
- Raphael Goldfus (1889–1963), Polish Holocaust survivor and sculptor
- Herbert Goldfus (1875–1957), German World War I flying ace
- Arthur Goldfus (1911–1995), Romanian Holocaust survivor, scholar, and artist
- Kathrine Goldfus (b. 1977), Brazilian-born American chef
- Ilana Goldfus (b. 1988), Israeli human rights activist
- David Goldfus (b. 1974), Israeli-American photographer
- Marcel Goldfus (1896–1944), Austrian-born Jewish survivor of the Riga Ghetto and Theresienstadt concentration camp
- Jonathan Goldfus (b. 1972), Israeli investigative journalist