Surname Gold - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Tracing Back The 'Gold': Surprising Discoveries from My iGENEA DNA Test
Diving into my genealogical adventure, I was eager to uncover the history of my surname 'Gold'. As routine family lore dictated, it was widely accepted that we hailed from a strong German lineage. However, my iGENEA DNA test took me on a very different journey, disputing this widely received wisdom and charting a surprising path deep into Eastern Europe.
M. Gold
read moreGold: What does the surname Gold mean?
The surname Gold is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th century word "gold" which, unsurprisingly, means "gold". traditionally, it was often given as a nickname to someone who was considered precious or brilliant. In other cases, it might have also been given to someone with blond hair, reflecting the color of gold. The name may have also been applied to someone who routinely worked with gold, such as a goldsmith. Another possible origin could be a shortened form of any of the various Ashkenazic Jewish ornamental names, like 'Goldbaum' or 'Goldberg'. Given its spread across different cultures and regions, the meaning can somewhat vary. However, generally, the surname Gold symbolizes value, preciousness, and rarity. Please note that due to its broad geographical range across Europe and beyond, the exact meaning and etymology may differ from case to case.
Order DNA origin analysisGold: Where does the name Gold come from?
The surname Gold is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "Golda" (masculine) or "Golde" (feminine). It is personal name of an uncertain etymology, although it is perhaps related to the Old English word "Gold", meaning "gold". In some cases, the surname may be ornamental, adopted by Ashkenazi Jews when such surnames were becoming commonplace. Today, the surname Gold is quite common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is also prevalent in Germany and other countries with a significant Jewish population.
Variations of the surname Gold
The surname Gold originated in Germany. It sprung as a nickname in medieval times for someone with blonde hair or a cheerful temperament, indicating something precious or valuable, much like the element Gold. Variants of the surname include Golda, Golde, Gould, Goldden, Gollden, Goldd, Goulde, Golder, and Goldmann, among others. Other spellings, particularly among people of Jewish descent, include Goldt, Goldth, and Goldschmidt.
It's also possible to trace the surname to English or Old English origins, with Gould being the predominant variant. Similarly, in Ireland, the O'Goilidhe sept changed their surname to Gold, also adopting the variant Gould. You may find the surname has different spellings and variants in different countries due to translation or differing alphabets.
In some cases, particularly among Ashkenazi Jews, the surname Gold, and its variants, is an anglicized form of a name meaning 'gold' in German, Yiddish, or another Eastern European language. Hence, Gold can also branch out to mean 'goldsmith', getting further surnamed variants as Goldschmied in Germany or Złotnik in Poland. Migration and the passing of time have led to the evolution and creation of many variations of the initial surname.
Famous people with the name Gold
- Whoopi Goldberg: An American actress, comedian and television host known for her roles in "The Color Purple" and "Ghost".
- Adam Goldberg: An American actor, director, producer, and musician, recognized for his roles in films like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Zodiac".
- Natalie Gold: An American actress known for her roles in "Succession" and "Rubicon".
- Tracey Gold: An American actress and former child star, best known for her role on the TV series "Growing Pains".
- Ari Gold: A pop singer and songwriter.
- Tony Gold: An English photographer and film director.
- Rube Goldberg: An American cartoonist, sculptor, author, and engineer known for his popular cartoons depicting complicated gadgets performing simple tasks in direct, convoluted ways.
- Judy Gold: An American standup comedian, actress, television writer, and producer.
- Ronni Gold: A British composer known for writing jingles for advertising.
- Emma Goldman: An anarchist political activist and writer.
- Jonathan Gold: An American food critic.
- Samuel Gold: Co-founder of film studios Paramount Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Productions.
- Arielle Gold: An American snowboarder.
- Goldie Hawn: An American actress, producer, and singer. Note: Some of these figures have "Gold" as part of their surname rather than the full surname.