Surname Gould - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Cultural and Historical Tapestry of the Surname 'Gould' Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Through the iGENEA DNA test, I’ve been on an enlightening journey to trace the historical roots and cultural heritage of my surname, Gould. The test has revealed surprising origins, unveiled a fascinating lineage history and brought forth interesting ancestral figures. What began as a wellspring of curiosity morphed into a path of enigmatic self-discovery.

F. Gould

Gould: What does the surname Gould mean?

The surname Gould is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Golda" (masculine) or "Golde" (feminine), ultimately from "golda" meaning "gold." The name may have been used as a nickname for someone with bright golden hair or a cheerful temperament. In some instances, it might have been an occupational name for someone who worked with gold, such as a goldsmith or a gilder. Over time, Golda or Golde evolved into the surname Gould. The surname first appears in written records in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in different regions of England. Variations of the surname include Goulds, Goold, and Gold, among others. Today, it is found in many English-speaking countries around the world.

Gould: Where does the name Gould come from?

The surname Gould is of English origin. Derived from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name "Golda" (masculine) or "Golde" (feminine), which means "gold", it may have been used as an epithet for someone with bright golden hair or perhaps, metaphorically, a precious or valued person. Variations of the name include Gold, Goulde, Goold, and others.

In the process of surname formation, names that were derived from a nickname form a significant group. It began to be used as a surname in Britain around the 12th and 13th centuries. Notably, people with the surname Gould have been found in Dorset, south west England, since the Middle Ages.

Today, the surname Gould is most common in the United States, England, and Australia. In the U.S., it's chiefly found in New York, California, and Florida, while in England it's most prevalent in Somerset. In Australia, it is common in the state of Queensland. Despite these current common locations, the surname maintains its dispersed nature as seen over centuries, found in various countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Gould

The surname Gould is of English origin and is derived from Old English 'gold', likely used as a nickname for someone with golden hair or who habitually wore gold ornaments. It's a predominantly English and Irish surname with different variants and spellings in several countries. The Gould surname has several variations such as Gold, Goold, Goulde, and Goulds.

Furthermore, it has also been Anglicised to different forms such as Goldie and Golding. In terms of patronymic variants of the name where 'son of' is usually attached, Gouldson is a common manifestation of this. Similarly, Irish variations could turn Gould into Ó Gabhla, which is often Anglicized as "Gall" or "Gale".

Furthermore, the Gould surname can be found as a component in combined surnames such as Goldsmith and Goldthorpe and Jewish variations can include Goldman and Goldstein. Some Sephardic Jewish "Gould" surnames were altered from the similar sounding 'Golde'. Overall, the different variants of Gould signify the historical, geographical, and cultural variety attached to this surname.

Famous people with the name Gould

• Glenn Gould: A renowned Canadian pianist who was widely recognized for his exceptional technical proficiency and innovative interpretations.
• Stephen Jay Gould: An influential American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and science historian known for his theory of punctuated equilibrium.
• Elliot Gould: An American actor famous for his roles in movies like "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" and "M*A*S*H".
• Alexander Gould: An American actor best known for his role as Shane Botwin in the Showtime series "Weeds" and the voice of Nemo in Pixar's "Finding Nemo".
• Dana Gould: A prominent American comedian, writer and actor who used to be a co-executive producer of "The Simpsons".
• Jason Gould: The son of Barbra Streisand and Elliot Gould, Jason is an accomplished actor, director, screenwriter, and singer.
• Gould Brothers: These American siblings, Steve and Aaron Gould, are professional exhibition shooters and produce content that includes difficult shooting tricks.
• Georgia Gould: An American professional cross-country mountain bike racer and a two-time Olympian.
• Morton Gould: An American composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist who was recognized as a child prodigy.
• Shane Gould: An Australian former competition swimmer who won three gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Other surnames

GoulaGoulainGoulaineGoulaitGoulatGoulayGouldeGoulderGouldieGouldingGouldyGouléGouletGouletteGoulinGoullet