Surname Goree - Meaning and Origin
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Goree: What does the surname Goree mean?
The surname Goree is of French origin and can be traced back to the medieval periods in the Northwestern region of France, Brittany. In French, the name "Goree" primarily means "small plot of land." It is thought to be a topographic surname, given to someone who resided near a notable physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.
It is also the name of the Island of Gorée, located off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. This island was famed as a significant center for the Atlantic slave trade from the 15th to 19th century. Thus, the last name Goree could have also been adopted by people who hailed from this region.
Like many surnames, the spread and variations of the name have occurred through centuries of migration, leading to its presence today in various countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisGoree: Where does the name Goree come from?
The surname Gorey or Goree is believed to have originated from the Old French word ‘gore’, referring to a small triangular piece of land. It was typically given to people who lived in or near such an area. Some genealogists propose that the name could have come from the island of ‘Gorée’ off the coast of Senegal, though this claim lacks significant evidence.
It is not limited to a particular country for the surname is quite spread out. In the United States, the surname was popularized through Albert Arnold Gore Jr., known as Al Gore, the Vice President under President Bill Clinton. Some of the early immigrants settled mainly in the southern states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas.
In France, it is common in regions like Picardy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, and the Upper Normandy region. Whereas in England, Gorey families were historically found in the county of Hampshire.
Despite these concentrations, the surname Goree is still relatively rare and one may not find it as common as other surnames even in these areas.
Variations of the surname Goree
The surname Goree has been written in various forms, reflecting changes in language usage and transcription standards over time. These forms could include Gorey, Gorie, Gorrie, Gory, Gora, Gore, Garee, Goray, and Goar.
Some of these variations could have originated from different circumstances such as errors in census recordings and immigration documentation, children taking on a mother's maiden name, or families moving to places where the original spelling was uncommon or difficult to pronounce.
The surname Goree is believed to have been derived from Old French, possibly a nickname for someone who lived by a triangular piece of land or a topographic name from Old French "gore" meaning a small triangle of land. It could also be of Irish origin, from the Gaelic Mac Guaire, 'son of Guaire', a personal name meaning 'noble' or 'proud' (with the 'Mac' prefix stripped off in some cases).
It is also linked to a geographical place: there is an island named Goree off the coast of Senegal, Africa. The spelling of this surname can also change based on regional pronunciation and colloquialisms.
Famous people with the name Goree
- Lisa Goree: A Canadian actress known for her roles in "Love & Human Remains" (1993) and "The Conspiracy Files" (2005).
- Cheryl Goree: A writer by profession, Cheryl is known for her work on Disney series such as "Raven's Home," "Martin," and "Living Single.”
- Albert Goree: An Australian actor popular for his roles in "The Kangaroo Kid" (1950) and "Bitter Springs" (1950).
- Oliver Goree: A director and composer known for his work on "Blue Eyes: The Hardest Thing" (1994) and "Blue Jeans: Sugarpuff" (1990).
- General Lee Goree: A former American football player who played for Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) during the 1989 season.
- David Goree: An author, well recognized for his books on real estate investing and management. Please note that while these individuals have achieved some level of recognition in their respective fields, they may not be widely considered 'famous' in the traditional sense.