NameCensus.

UK surname

Goosen

A surname of Germanic origin, possibly derived from the Dutch word "gans" meaning goose.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stratford-on-Avon, Daventry and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goosen is 116 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2010

116 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Goosen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goosen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goosen 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1997 modern 25 #35,261
1998 modern 26 #35,254
1999 modern 26 #35,320
2000 modern 28 #35,080
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 47 #33,548
2003 modern 63 #32,152
2004 modern 65 #32,177
2005 modern 67 #32,196
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 87 #30,999
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 110 #29,157
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Goosens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stratford-on-Avon, Daventry, Wycombe and Southwark. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stratford-on-Avon 001 Stratford-on-Avon
2 Daventry 010 Daventry
3 Wycombe 004 Wycombe
4 Wycombe 020 Wycombe
5 Southwark 008 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goosen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goosen

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Goosen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Goosen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Goosen is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Goosen 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

Goosen falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goosen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Goosen

The surname "GOOSEN" is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Dutch word "gans," which means "goose." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who had some resemblance or association with geese.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Dutch records and documents from the late 1500s and early 1600s. Some of the variations in spelling that have been documented over time include Goosen, Goozen, Goosens, and Gozens.

One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Pieter Goosen, a Dutch merchant who lived in Amsterdam in the early 17th century. Another notable figure was Jacobus Goosen, a Dutch colonist who settled in South Africa in the late 1600s and became one of the first free burghers (citizens) of the Cape Colony.

In the 18th century, the name Goosen appeared in various Dutch and Flemish records, including those from the regions of Zeeland and Flanders. Some of the earliest immigrants to North America with this surname arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, primarily settling in areas with strong Dutch and Flemish communities.

One notable individual with the surname Goosen was Dirk Goosen, a Dutch politician and jurist who lived from 1789 to 1859. He served as the Governor of South Holland from 1848 to 1859.

Another significant figure was Retief Goosen, a professional golfer from South Africa who was born in 1969. He has won multiple PGA Tour events and represented South Africa in international competitions.

It is worth noting that the surname Goosen has also been found in various other European countries, such as Germany and Belgium, likely due to migration patterns and cultural exchanges over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Goosen surname: questions and answers

How common is the Goosen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Goosen a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Goosen surname mean?

A surname of Germanic origin, possibly derived from the Dutch word "gans" meaning goose.

What does the Goosen map show?

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