Goldsmith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Goldsmith

What does the name Goldsmith mean?

Goldsmith is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a goldsmith, jeweler. The name denoted "one who made or sold gold articles, a jeweler, later a banker." 1 Early records may show the name in the Latin-French version "Aurifaber." 2

Early French revealed "Geoffry, Roger, William, Nicholas. Gerard Aurifaber (Goldsmith) of Normandy 1180-95, three more in 1198 in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 3

"The great value of the commodity in which the medieval goldsmith dealt rendered him a person of consequence. No less than three tenants-in-chief under the Conqueror arc entered in Domesday under the name of Aurifaber. One of these, Otto Aurifaber, held in Essex, and his descendants, under the surname of Fitz-Otho, appear to have been hereditary mint-masters to the crown for two centuries, becoming extinct in 1282. Kelham. The equivalent French Orfevre, and the German Goldschmid, are well-known surnames." 4

Early Origins of the Goldsmith family

The surname Goldsmith was first found in Norfolk where Roger Goldsmiz was listed in 1250. Thomas Goldsmith was listed in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1255 and later John le Goldesmethe was listed in Devon in 1309. 5

The Hundredorum Rolls recorded the name in the Latin form: Geoffrey Aurifaber, Salop (Shropshire); and Walter Aurifaber, Oxfordshire. 2

Richard le Goldsmythe, was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign) in Somerset. 6

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Thomas Goldsmyth, goldsmyth, of Wakefield; Johannes filius Gallridi, goldsmyth; Hugo Goldsmyth; and Agnes Goldsmvche. 2

Further to the north in Scotland, the records were first in the Latin form and later changed to the more contemporary spellings. "William Aurifaber witnessed a gift of land to the Hospital of Soltre c. 1250-1266. Ewgenius (Ewen) Aurifaber was one of an inquest at Dumbarton in 1271, and Martin Aurifaber appears as burgess of Aberdeen in 1281. Walter Aurifaber, burgess of Roxburgh in 1285 is doubtless "Walter the goldsmith, burgess and alderman of Roxburgh," who rendered homage in 1296. Rogier le orfeure of Berwick, also rendered homage in 1296. John Goldsmith (aurifaber) was bailie of Edinburgh in 1342 and rendered to Exchequer the accounts of the city." 7 The two entries of "rendered homage" refers to them having "renerderd homage" to King Edward I during his attempt to conquer Scotland.

Early History of the Goldsmith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goldsmith research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1426, 1427, 1453, 1472, 1481, 1488, 1494, 1613, 1629 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Goldsmith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goldsmith Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Goldsmith has appeared include Goldsmith, Goldsmyth and others.

Early Notables of the Goldsmith family

Distinguished members of the family include

Francis Goldsmith (1613-1655), English translator of Grotius, born on 25 March 1613, son and heir of Francis Goldsmith of St...
Giles's-in-the-Fields, Middlesex, and grandson of Sir Francis Goldsmith of Crayford, Kent...

Goldsmith World Ranking

In the United States, the name Goldsmith is the 1,996^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 8 However, in Australia, the name Goldsmith is ranked the 943^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,198 people with that name. 9 And in New Zealand, the name Goldsmith is the 848^th popular surname with an estimated 862 people with that name. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Goldsmith as 988^th with 7,068 people. 11

Migration of the Goldsmith family to Ireland

Some of the Goldsmith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goldsmith migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Goldsmith arrived in North America very early:

Goldsmith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Arthure Goldsmith, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Diana" 12
William Goldsmith, who landed in Virginia in 1638 12
Nicho Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 12
Richard Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1648 12
George Goldsmith, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

L M Goldsmith, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 12
Abm Goldsmith, aged 56, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 12
Morris Goldsmith, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1812 12
Abraham Goldsmith, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 12
Henry Goldsmith, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1821 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Goldsmith Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Goldsmith, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Henry Goldsmith U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Collector of Customs in St. Andrews 13
Mr. Richard Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 13
Mr. Thomas Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 13
Mr. Thomas Goldsmith U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13

Goldsmith Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Goldsmith, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1825 14
William Goldsmith, who arrived in Canada in 1832
G. Goldsmith, aged 20, a gentleman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breakwater" from Plymouth, England
John Goldsmith, aged 19, a gentleman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breakwater" from Plymouth, England

Goldsmith migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Goldsmith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Ann Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Elizabeth Goldsmith, (b. 1809), aged 21, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl of Liverpool" in December 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Robert Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. William Goldsmith, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Charles Kerr" on 6th June 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
William Goldsmith, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Goldsmith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Harriet E. Goldsmith, (b. 1859), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 20
Mr. Edwin J. Goldsmith, (b. 1857), aged 9, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 20
Mr. Edwin Goldsmith, (b. 1832), aged 34, British cooper travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 20
Mrs. Mary Ann Goldsmith, (b. 1829), aged 37, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 20
Mr. James W. Goldsmith, (b. 1866), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Goldsmith migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21

Goldsmith Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Farford Goldsmith, aged 22, who landed in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon" 12
William Goldsmith, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Goldsmith (post 1700) +

Paul Edward Goldsmith (1925-2024), American racing driver
Barbara Goldsmith (1931-2016), American author, journalist and philanthropist
Thomas Toliver Goldsmith Jr. (1910-2009), American television pioneer, co-inventor of the cathode ray tube
Bram Goldsmith (1923-2016), American real estate developer, banker and philanthropist, CEO and Chairman of City National Bank
Raymond W. Goldsmith (1904-1988), American economist
Jerrald King "Jerry" Goldsmith (1929-2004), American composer and conductor and one of the most nominated composers in the history of the Academy Awards
Kenneth Goldsmith (b. 1961), American poet
Lynn Goldsmith (b. 1948), American recording artist, film director and celebrity portrait photographer
Gordon A. Goldsmith, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Milford; Elected 1940 22
Fannie P. Goldsmith, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Branford; Elected 1930 22
... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Goldsmith family +

Flight 191

M Goldsmith (d. 1979), American passenger from Chatsworth, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 23

HMS Hood

Mr. Horace W Goldsmith (b. 1899), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Croydon, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24

RMS Titanic

Mr. Frank John Goldsmith (d. 1912), aged 33, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 25
Mrs. Emily Alice Goldsmith, (née Brown), aged 31, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking in collapsible C 25
Master Frank John William Goldsmith, aged 9, English Third Class passenger from Strood, Kent who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking in collapsible C 25
Mr. Nathan Goldsmith (d. 1912), aged 41, Russian Third Class passenger from Unknown who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 25

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-of-liverpool
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 1st February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charles-kerr
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SOMERSETSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Somersetshire.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html