Gof History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Wales
• Ireland

Etymology of Gof

The name Gof is derived from the Welsh word "coch," which means "red." Gof was originally a nickname for a ruddy or red-complexioned person, which later became a hereditary surname. 1

Iolo Goch or the Red (fl. 1328-1405), a Welsh bard, whose real name is said to be Edward Llwyd, was Lord of Llechryd and resided at Coed Pantwn in Denbighshire. 2

Early Origins of the Gof family

Early History of the Gof family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gof research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1467, 1528, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1570, 1591, 1605, 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, 1623, 1624, 1629, 1642, 1652, 1660, 1661, 1679, 1681 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gof History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gof Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Gof has occasionally been spelled Gough, Goff, Gof, Goffe and others.

Early Notables of the Gof family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

• Thomas Goffe (1591-1629) was a Jacobean dramatist born in Essex. Stephen Goffe (Gough) C.O. (1605-1681), was a Royalist agent of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and later an Oratorian priest, born at...
• Thomas Goffe or Gough (1591-1629), was an English divine and poet, son of a clergyman, was born in Essex in 1591. 2
• William Goffe or Gough (d. 1679?), English regicide, was the son of Stephen Goffe, rector of Stanmer in Sussex. "He was apprenticed to a London salter named Vaughan, and in 1642 was imprisoned by the...
• John Goffe or Gough (1610?-1661), was an English divine, the son of Stephen Goffe or Gough, rector of Stanmer in Sussex, 'a severe Puritan.' 2

Migration of the Gof family to Ireland

Some of the Gof family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gof family

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Gof: Edward Goffe who settled in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1630; John Goffe settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Robert Goffe and his wife settled in Virginia in 1622.