Surname Gough - Meaning and Origin

Family Roots & My Genes: An Unexpected Viking Connection in the Gough Line

I embarked on a genealogical journey with my DNA test at iGENEA. What ensued; unexpected revelations, enriched personal narrative and an astonishing connection to Viking lineage in the Gough family.

A. Gough

Gough: What does the surname Gough mean?

The surname Gough is of Welsh origin and it has two primary interpretations. Firstly, it is derived from the Welsh word "coch," which translated to "red". It was likely used as a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Secondly, it is thought to have evolved from the occupational surname "gof", meaning blacksmith. In the Middle Ages, the pronunciation and spelling of words were often done phonically, resulting in a wide variation of spellings. This means Gough may be a phonetic variation of "gof".

There are also some references to Irish and English origins of the surname, where it may have derived from the Gaelic name Mac Gofa, meaning "son of the smith". In these instances, Gough is considered an anglicized version of the original Gaelic.

It is also important to note that the pronunciation of the surname varies greatly, ranging from "goff" to "guff" or "go". Famous individuals with this surname include British stage and screen actor Lloyd Gough, Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, and English cricketer Darren Gough.

Gough: Where does the name Gough come from?

The surname Gough is of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh word "coch", which means "red". It is likely a descriptive term used for someone with red hair or with a ruddy complexion. The name has its roots in the Middle Ages, a period when surnames were starting to be used to distinguish individuals with the same first name.

In the English language, there are two pronunciations for Gough. In Wales and the West Midlands of England, it typically rhymes with "go", while in other parts of England, it rhymes with "cough".

Today, the surname Gough is most common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the United States, and South Africa. Specifically, it remains common in the area of Shropshire and Herefordshire, close to the Wales-England border. The name is also prevalent in Wales, especially in the South. It likewise appears in regions that have historically seen Welsh immigration, like the United States and Australia. Multiple notable figures named Gough, from sportspeople to politicians, hail from these countries.

Variations of the surname Gough

The surname Gough is of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh word 'Coch' meaning 'red.' Variants of the Gough surname include Gougher, Goff, Goffe, Gouge, Gooch, and Gouche.

Gough may also be linked to the Irish surname MacGough, which means 'son of the red-haired youth.' In this context, variants can include McGough, MacGow, and McGow.

It is worth noting that due to various regional dialects, accents, and historical misspellings, many other variants may exist. Further, changes may have been made to the surname after immigration to other countries.

Also, the pronunciation of the surname can vary greatly; for instance, Gough can be pronounced as "goff", "guff", or even "go" in different regions or under different cultural influences.

Each variant, spelling, or surname of the same origin has its unique history and distribution, demonstrating the rich and diverse heritage of the Gough surname. It is always beneficial to trace the specific lineage of the surname for a better understanding of its origin and the historical events associated with it.

Famous people with the name Gough

• Gwendoline Gough: a British stage and television actress, best known for portraying the eccentric Mrs. Mercer in the ITV series Benidorm.
• Flann Gough: Irish hurler who played for his local club, Ballinahinch, and later for Tipperary.
• Thomas Gough: Australian soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry ‘in the face of the enemy’.
• Edward Gough Whitlam: Former Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Australian Labor Party who transformed the Australian Public Service.
• Robert Gough: British stuntman and actor who appeared in many films, including The Spy Who Loved Me and Superman 2.
• Philip Gough: an English stage and film actor best known for playing the brigadier in the BBC series Primeval.
• Margaret Gough: an Australian actress known for her performances in the film Horror Story, and more recently, the television series Nowhere Boys.
• Charles Gough: a Scottish Private rank who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during WWI.
• Julian Gough: Irish novelist and playwright who wrote the novel, Jude in London.
• Toby Gough: English actor and producer best known for his roles in3 series 2 of Misfits and TV pilot Your Bad Self.

Other surnames

GougeGougerGougginspergGouggisbergGouggispergGougher