Surname Golding - Meaning and Origin

Unmasking the Golding Ancestry: Unforeseen Revelations from iGENEA DNA Test

Growing up in the Golding family, I assumed I knew all about my origins. However, after undertaking an iGENEA DNA test, my understanding took an unexpected turn, revealing a heritage that transcended my known European ancestry. The DNA test uncovered Mongolian and Nordic influences, reshaping my view about my identity, now much broader and complex.

Z. Golding

Golding: What does the surname Golding mean?

The surname Golding is of Anglo-Saxon origin derived from the Old English personal name "Golda" (male) or "Golde" (female). The "-ing" ending simply suggests "descendant of" or "family of". Thus, the name originally represented familial association with an individual known as Golda or Golde, possibly implying traits related to gold such as brilliance, radiance, or value. Golding is also occasionally found as a Jewish surname, although this is a separate derivation likely translating to "little gold" from Yiddish elements. The name was first recorded in England in the 12th century. Distinguished bearers of this surname include William Golding, the Nobel Prize-winning author of Lord of the Flies.

Golding: Where does the name Golding come from?

The surname Golding has its origins from the pre 7th century Old English personal name 'Golding', which means 'The son of Golda'. Its popularity grew in England with the formation of surnames after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dated 1273, appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, during the reign of King Edward I of England.

Today, the surname is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Individuals bearing the last name Golding might have ancestral ties to these countries. However, due to global migration, the surname can be found in various other countries worldwide as well. The frequency of Golding as a surname can differ greatly; it is more common in England, especially in regions such as South East England and Greater London.

Variations of the surname Golding

The surname Golding has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variations and spelling alternatives include Goldin, Goulding, Goldring, Goldings, and Goolding. There are also variations based on linguistic and geographical differences such as the French surname Gaudin, the German surname Goldmann, and the Yiddish surname Goldstein.

Further, it may have sometimes been altered to Gold, Golde, Goldy and possibly even Goldie. There are also related surnames such as Golden and Goldner. Hyphenated versions of the name, such as Golding-Smith or Golding-Jones, also exist, typically resulting from marriages, name changes, or other personal reasons.

The surname may be of English or Jewish origins, and over generations, many family names can gain a multitude of variations through migration and translation. For example, in some parts of the world, such as Eastern Europe, the name may have been transliterated, creating variants like Zolotarev or Złotnik. It's important to remember that variations of the surname might have emerged due to regional dialects, naming traditions, and phonetic spelling by clerks or other officials.

Famous people with the name Golding

• William Golding: An English novelist, playwright, and poet who won a Nobel Prize in Literature, best known for his novel, "Lord of the Flies".
• Louis Golding: A British novelist and essayist known for his novel "Magnolia Street".
• Brock Golding: An Australian cricketer who played for Queensland in the 1980s.
• Grant Golding: A Canadian gymnast who competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
• Jane Golding: A British lawyer and co-chair of the lobby group "British in Europe", known for her work on EU citizens' rights post-Brexit.
• Olivia Golding: A British actress best known for her role in the TV series "Doctors".
• John Golding: A British politician, trade union leader, and economist.
• Kenneth Golding: A British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Newcastle-under-Lyme from 1969 to 1986.
• Mandy Golding: An Australian actress know for "Gridlock" and "Alice's Baby".
• Peter Golding: A British sociologist.
• Julia Golding: An English children's writer, her works include the "Cat Royal series" and "The Companions Quartet".
• Rashawn Golding: Known for his work in films like "The Coffer" and "A Diamond in the Rough".

Other surnames

Goldie