NameCensus.

UK surname

Goacher

A geographical surname deriving from two villages in Hampshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 395 people recorded with the Goacher surname, ranking it #8,037 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 648, ranked #8,200, down from #8,037 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Church Gresley, Ashurst near Steyning and Ashby-de-la-Zouch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bassetlaw, Eastbourne and North West Leicestershire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goacher is 739 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.1%.

1881 census count

395

Ranked #8,037

Modern count

648

2016, ranked #8,200

Peak year

1998

739 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goacher had 395 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,037 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 648 in 2016, ranked #8,200.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 672 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Goacher surname distribution map

The map shows where the Goacher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Goacher surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goacher over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 217 #9,784
1861 historical 260 #9,516
1881 historical 395 #8,037
1891 historical 483 #7,638
1901 historical 622 #6,868
1911 historical 672 #6,279
1997 modern 719 #7,096
1998 modern 739 #7,185
1999 modern 725 #7,327
2000 modern 724 #7,312
2001 modern 711 #7,275
2002 modern 728 #7,277
2003 modern 698 #7,397
2004 modern 695 #7,450
2005 modern 678 #7,534
2006 modern 662 #7,707
2007 modern 659 #7,784
2008 modern 656 #7,860
2009 modern 682 #7,806
2010 modern 681 #7,943
2011 modern 701 #7,691
2012 modern 685 #7,732
2013 modern 686 #7,869
2014 modern 686 #7,905
2015 modern 665 #8,044
2016 modern 648 #8,200

Geography

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Where Goachers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Church Gresley, Ashurst near Steyning, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Worksop. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bassetlaw, Eastbourne, North West Leicestershire and Erewash. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Church Gresley Staffordshire
2 Ashurst near Steyning Sussex
3 Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicestershire
4 Church Gresley Leicestershire
5 Worksop Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bassetlaw 002 Bassetlaw
2 Eastbourne 002 Eastbourne
3 North West Leicestershire 008 North West Leicestershire
4 Eastbourne 007 Eastbourne
5 Erewash 003 Erewash

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goacher

These lists show first names that appear often with the Goacher surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goacher

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goacher, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Goacher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Goacher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Goacher is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Goacher is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Goacher falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goacher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Goacher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Goacher

The surname Goacher is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 14th century in the county of Gloucestershire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gocere," which referred to a goatherd or someone who tended goats. This occupation was prevalent in rural areas, where goats were commonly raised for their milk, meat, and other byproducts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Goacher can be found in the Gloucestershire Subsidy Rolls of 1327, where a certain William Gochere is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established in the region by that time. Additionally, the Goacher surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, indicating its presence in other parts of England during the medieval period.

In the 16th century, records show the name being spelled in various ways, such as Gochere, Gochare, and Gochier, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. One notable bearer of the name was John Goacher, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1520 and served as a member of the local militia.

Fast forward to the 17th century, and we find mention of Thomas Goacher in the parish records of St. Michael's Church in Coventry, Warwickshire. He was a prosperous landowner and farmer who lived from 1635 to 1712. Another individual of note was William Goacher, born in 1670 in Somerset, who was a renowned clockmaker and inventor of a particular type of clock escapement mechanism.

In the 18th century, the Goacher surname continued to be present in various parts of England. One notable figure was Robert Goacher, born in Gloucestershire in 1745, who served as a captain in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War. He was commended for his bravery and leadership in several naval engagements.

Moving into the 19th century, we encounter Edward Goacher, a prominent architect born in 1810 in London. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, which was completed in 1871 and remains an iconic venue for concerts and events to this day.

Throughout its history, the Goacher surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, from agricultural workers and artisans to military personnel and architects. While its origins may have been humble, the name has stood the test of time and continues to be carried by individuals of English descent around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goacher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goacher surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Sussex leads with 155 Goachers recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.86x.

County Total Index
Sussex 155 23.86x
Derbyshire 48 7.96x
Yorkshire 45 1.18x
Leicestershire 40 9.36x
Nottinghamshire 28 5.39x
Surrey 23 1.23x
Lancashire 19 0.42x
Staffordshire 17 1.31x
Middlesex 9 0.23x
Kent 5 0.38x
Rutland 3 10.60x
Lincolnshire 2 0.32x
Berkshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashurst in Sussex leads with 23 Goachers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4693.88x.

Place Total Index
Ashurst 23 4693.88x
Church Gresley 21 218.75x
Ashby De La Zouch 18 181.82x
West Grinstead 17 867.35x
Shipley 16 1088.44x
Henfield 13 520.00x
Cuckfield 12 182.93x
Wiston 12 2926.83x
Hove 11 38.60x
Cannock 9 39.67x
Burton Extra 8 107.24x
Catcliffe 8 1481.48x
Hulme 8 8.38x
Kimberworth 8 37.75x
Uckfield 8 282.69x
Bagworth 7 875.00x
Basford 7 29.24x
Burstow 7 440.25x
Packington 7 460.53x
Reigate Foreign 7 34.43x
Sheffield 7 5.76x
Beighton 6 219.78x
Epsom 6 65.57x
Hasland 6 97.72x
Hugglescote 6 95.54x
Kensington London 6 2.80x
Nuthurst 6 560.75x
Staveley 6 56.02x
Tinsley 6 447.76x
Woodsetts 6 1875.00x
Billingshurst 5 234.74x
Holbeck 5 1515.15x
North Wheatley 5 980.39x
Norton 5 100.60x
Portslade 5 125.94x
Worksop 5 32.47x
Balby Cum Hexthorpe 4 87.72x
Horsham 4 31.70x
Newton In Makerfield 4 28.57x
Arundel 3 82.42x
Eastbourne 3 10.04x
Heeley 3 25.86x
Hernhill 3 303.03x
Hucknall Torkard 3 22.78x
Hurstpierpoint 3 82.87x
Little Bolton 3 5.10x
Little Horsted 3 750.00x
Oakham Lordshold 3 101.35x
Storrington 3 168.54x
Sturton 3 428.57x
Whitwell 3 125.00x
Bury 2 3.83x
Capel 2 112.99x
Denby 2 97.09x
Edburton 2 444.44x
Gainsborough 2 13.77x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 1 2.81x
Balcombe 1 86.21x
Barlborough 1 44.84x
Brighton 1 0.76x
Burnley 1 2.60x
Chailey 1 49.75x
Chelsea London 1 0.86x
Cheriton 1 18.66x
Diseworth 1 181.82x
Hollingbourn 1 65.79x
Keymer 1 21.79x
Sandhurst 1 17.86x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 6.00x
St Martin In Fields 1 4.33x
Upper Lower 1 344.83x
Warnham 1 71.43x
West Clandon 1 204.08x
West Hoathly 1 49.02x
Whitwick 1 18.42x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Goacher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Goacher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 32
George 27
Thomas 23
John 21
James 10
Arthur 6
Edward 6
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Joseph 5
Ernest 4
Robert 4
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Benjn. 2
Charles 2
Chas. 2
David 2
Frank 2
Jesse 2
Mark 2
Adam 1
Aurther 1
Charlie 1
Cornelius 1
Frederic 1
H.Samuel 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Issachar 1
Jeremiah 1
Jno.Hy. 1
Laban 1
Louis 1
Mary 1
Oliver 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
R.William 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Rueben 1
Willm.Ed. 1

FAQ

Goacher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goacher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 395 people were recorded with the Goacher surname. That placed it at #8,037 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goacher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 648 in 2016. That gives Goacher a modern rank of #8,200.

What does the Goacher surname mean?

A geographical surname deriving from two villages in Hampshire, England.

What does the Goacher map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Goacher bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.