UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places named Goldston in England.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Goldston surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 53, ranked #34,727, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goldston is 121 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.2%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
53
2016, ranked #34,727
Peak year
1901
121 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Goldston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Goldston surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 37 | #26,673 |
| 1861 | historical | 87 | #22,681 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 121 | #20,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 108 | #21,736 |
| 1997 | modern | 55 | #32,114 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 57 | #32,417 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 54 | #32,927 |
| 2003 | modern | 58 | #32,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 53 | #33,528 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 52 | #34,381 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 55 | #34,536 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 53 | #34,727 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Goldston surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goldston, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Goldston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Goldston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Goldston is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goldston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Goldston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Goldston has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from a place called Goldeston or Goldhiston in Suffolk. The name likely originated from the Old English words "golde," meaning "golden," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement."
During the medieval period, the name Goldston appeared in various historical records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, dated 1273, where it was recorded as "Goldestone." This early reference suggests that the name was well-established in the region by that time.
In the 14th century, the Goldston family held substantial land and property in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 mention a Walter de Goldeston, indicating the presence of the family in the area.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Goldston was John Goldston, born around 1420 in Suffolk. He was a prominent figure in the wool trade and served as a member of the local gild.
Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Goldston (1510-1585), a wealthy landowner and magistrate in Norfolk. He played a significant role in the local administration during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the Goldston family had established themselves in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. One notable member was William Goldston (1632-1709), a respected clergyman and author of several theological works.
The 18th century saw the emergence of Edward Goldston (1744-1812), a successful merchant and philanthropist from London. He made substantial contributions to various charitable organizations and was known for his generosity.
As the centuries passed, the Goldston name spread across different regions of England and beyond. One of the most renowned figures was Sir Edmund Goldston (1876-1951), a distinguished diplomat who served as the British Ambassador to several countries, including China and Japan.
While the Goldston surname may have evolved over time with minor spelling variations, its origins can be traced back to the golden enclosure or settlement in Suffolk, reflecting the historical significance of the name in England's past.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goldston surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 10 Goldstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.16x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 10 | 7.16x |
| Essex | 7 | 8.66x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.46x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.51x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.82x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.99x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 3.12x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 3.74x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.53x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 3.95x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northfleet in Kent leads with 8 Goldstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 650.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northfleet | 8 | 650.41x |
| Wanstead | 7 | 492.96x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 14.00x |
| Leeds | 4 | 17.45x |
| Manchester | 4 | 18.30x |
| Bow London | 3 | 57.58x |
| Dudley | 2 | 30.77x |
| Litchurch | 2 | 77.52x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 9.14x |
| Gravesend | 1 | 84.75x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 24.04x |
| Oxford St Peter Le Bailey | 1 | 769.23x |
| Rainham | 1 | 263.16x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Goldston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Goldston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Goldston households.
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Goldston surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 53 in 2016. That gives Goldston a modern rank of #34,727.
A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places named Goldston in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Goldston bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.