NameCensus.

UK surname

Goldson

A surname denoting someone's ancestral connection to the goldsmith trade.

In the 1881 census there were 67 people recorded with the Goldson surname, ranking it #24,104 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 271, ranked #15,874, up from #24,104 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hepworth, London parishes and Barking. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, Liverpool and Skye North West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goldson is 272 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 304.5%.

1881 census count

67

Ranked #24,104

Modern count

271

2016, ranked #15,874

Peak year

2015

272 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goldson had 67 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,104 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016, ranked #15,874.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 145 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Goldson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goldson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goldson 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 70 #21,020
1861 historical 81 #23,431
1881 historical 67 #24,104
1891 historical 131 #20,073
1901 historical 127 #19,893
1911 historical 145 #18,255
1997 modern 215 #16,844
1998 modern 230 #16,607
1999 modern 224 #16,984
2000 modern 245 #15,955
2001 modern 237 #16,048
2002 modern 248 #15,896
2003 modern 233 #16,394
2004 modern 239 #16,193
2005 modern 234 #16,388
2006 modern 232 #16,600
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 246 #16,247
2009 modern 251 #16,368
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 249 #16,684
2012 modern 253 #16,377
2013 modern 265 #16,138
2014 modern 265 #16,247
2015 modern 272 #15,851
2016 modern 271 #15,874

Geography

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Where Goldsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hepworth, London parishes, Barking, Toxteth Park and Boston (incl. Boston allotments). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Norfolk, Liverpool, Skye North West and Lincoln. 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 Hepworth Norfolk
2 London parishes London 1
3 Barking Essex
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Boston (incl. Boston allotments) Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 006 North Norfolk
2 Liverpool 045 Liverpool
3 Skye North West Highland
4 Liverpool 040 Liverpool
5 Lincoln 007 Lincoln

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goldson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goldson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goldson, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Goldson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Goldson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Goldson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Goldson is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Goldson falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goldson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Goldson

The surname Goldson has its origins in England, where it first appeared in the late 16th century. It is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "gold" and "sunu," meaning "son of the goldsmith" or "son of the wealthy one." The name likely originated in regions where goldsmiths or wealthy individuals resided, such as London or other major trade centers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Goldson can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, where a Thomas Goldson was baptized in 1597. Another early reference is in the Lancashire Wills and Inventories from 1622, which mentions a John Goldson.

During the 17th century, the name appeared in various documents and records across England. For example, a William Goldson was listed as a resident of Middlesex in the Protestation Returns of 1641-1642. Additionally, a Robert Goldson was recorded as a landowner in the Hearth Tax records of Yorkshire in 1672.

In the late 18th century, a notable figure named John Goldson (1732-1809) gained recognition as a prominent architect and surveyor in London. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Ranelagh Rotunda in Chelsea.

Another individual of note was Henry Goldson (1801-1865), a British mathematician and astronomer. He contributed significantly to the field of celestial mechanics and authored several influential works, including "An Elementary Treatise on the Lunar Theory" (1843).

During the 19th century, the name Goldson appeared in various contexts. For instance, a Richard Goldson (1823-1891) was a renowned English cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire and was considered one of the best batsmen of his era.

In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the 1790 census, where a John Goldson was listed as a resident of Virginia. Another notable American with the surname was Thomas Goldson (1787-1857), a politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in the 1820s.

Throughout its history, the surname Goldson has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, scholars, athletes, and politicians, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goldson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goldson 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. Lancashire leads with 13 Goldsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.68x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 13 1.68x
Middlesex 13 1.99x
Norfolk 13 12.94x
Lincolnshire 7 6.70x
Northumberland 6 6.17x
Yorkshire 6 0.93x
Cheshire 5 3.47x
Surrey 3 0.94x
Sussex 1 0.91x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hardingham in Norfolk leads with 12 Goldsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Hardingham 12 10000.00x
Boston 7 220.82x
Fulham London 7 73.84x
Eccleston In Prescot 6 154.24x
Tynemouth 6 115.16x
York St Mary 6 223.88x
Birkenhead 5 43.48x
Toxteth Park 5 19.04x
St Marylebone London 3 8.60x
Mile End Old Town London 2 14.38x
Reigate Foreign 2 57.97x
Cheetham 1 17.30x
Hampstead London 1 9.82x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 123.46x
Hingham 1 285.71x
Spotland 1 11.60x
Streatham 1 20.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 5
Charles 4
John 3
Frederick 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Emanuel 1
Fred 1
Henry 1
Hy. 1
James 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Goldson households.

FAQ

Goldson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goldson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 67 people were recorded with the Goldson surname. That placed it at #24,104 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goldson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016. That gives Goldson a modern rank of #15,874.

What does the Goldson surname mean?

A surname denoting someone's ancestral connection to the goldsmith trade.

What does the Goldson map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Goldson 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.