NameCensus.

UK surname

Goy

A Gentile, a non-Jewish person surname of derogatory usage.

In the 1881 census there were 389 people recorded with the Goy surname, ranking it #8,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 490, ranked #10,129, down from #8,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Billinghay, Benniworth and Louth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Kesteven, East Lindsey and Boston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goy is 563 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.0%.

1881 census count

389

Ranked #8,122

Modern count

490

2016, ranked #10,129

Peak year

1998

563 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goy had 389 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 490 in 2016, ranked #10,129.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 505 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Goy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goy surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goy 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 331 #7,044
1881 historical 389 #8,122
1901 historical 505 #7,988
1997 modern 533 #8,871
1998 modern 563 #8,758
1999 modern 555 #8,919
2000 modern 548 #8,976
2001 modern 529 #9,071
2002 modern 539 #9,120
2003 modern 524 #9,181
2004 modern 515 #9,312
2005 modern 483 #9,676
2006 modern 493 #9,578
2007 modern 489 #9,718
2008 modern 477 #9,997
2009 modern 491 #9,999
2010 modern 494 #10,144
2011 modern 492 #10,072
2012 modern 499 #9,870
2013 modern 502 #9,993
2014 modern 500 #10,077
2015 modern 496 #10,057
2016 modern 490 #10,129

Geography

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Where Goys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Billinghay, Benniworth, Louth, Nettleham and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Kesteven, East Lindsey, Boston and Bassetlaw. 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 Billinghay Lincolnshire
2 Benniworth Lincolnshire
3 Louth Lincolnshire
4 Nettleham Lincolnshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Kesteven 007 North Kesteven
2 East Lindsey 003 East Lindsey
3 Boston 004 Boston
4 East Lindsey 004 East Lindsey
5 Bassetlaw 010 Bassetlaw

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goy, 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 Goy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Goy 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Goy 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

Goy 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

Goy falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goy 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Goy

The surname GOY originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the regions of Spain and Portugal, during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word "godo," which means "Goth." The Goths were a Germanic people who invaded and settled in the Iberian Peninsula during the 5th and 6th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GOY can be found in the "Libro de las Behetrías" (Book of Bequests), a medieval Spanish manuscript dating back to the 14th century, which listed landowners and their properties. The name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the regions of Castile and Aragon.

In the 15th century, there are records of a Pedro Goy, a nobleman from the town of Medina del Campo in the province of Valladolid. He was known for his participation in the Reconquista, the centuries-long campaign by Christian rulers to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.

The surname GOY can also be traced to the small town of Goy, located in the province of Lérida, in the present-day region of Catalonia, Spain. It is believed that some families may have adopted the name based on their place of origin or residence.

One notable bearer of the surname GOY was Juan Goy de Silva (1505-1566), a Spanish conquistador and explorer who played a significant role in the colonization of present-day Colombia and Venezuela. He founded several settlements, including the city of Tocaima in modern-day Colombia.

Another historical figure with the surname GOY was Baltasar Goy (1590-1658), a Spanish painter and engraver who worked during the Golden Age of Spanish art. His works can be found in various museums and collections across Spain and Europe.

In the realm of literature, Pedro Goy de Silva (1616-1680), a Spanish playwright and poet, gained recognition for his contributions to the Spanish Golden Age theater. His plays were performed in the royal court and enjoyed widespread popularity during his lifetime.

The surname GOY has also been found in other European countries, such as France and Italy, likely due to migration and intermarriage. However, its origins can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula and the Gothic heritage of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goy 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. Lincolnshire leads with 250 Goys recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.10x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 250 41.10x
Yorkshire 45 1.19x
Middlesex 22 0.58x
Lancashire 18 0.40x
Surrey 17 0.92x
Nottinghamshire 12 2.34x
Durham 9 0.80x
Northamptonshire 5 1.40x
Hampshire 3 0.38x
Leicestershire 3 0.71x
Derbyshire 1 0.17x
Gloucestershire 1 0.13x
Perthshire 1 0.59x
Somerset 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.10x
Wiltshire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Metheringham in Lincolnshire leads with 16 Goys recorded in 1881 and an index of 658.44x.

Place Total Index
Metheringham 16 658.44x
Lambeth 14 4.22x
Louth 14 100.43x
Benniworth 12 2400.00x
Dunholme 10 1886.79x
Timberland 10 1515.15x
Ashby 9 471.20x
Holy Trinity 9 9.93x
Southcoates 9 43.00x
Barton St Peter 8 286.74x
North South Killingholme 8 792.08x
Rotherham 8 37.65x
Manchester 7 3.45x
Mile End Old Town London 7 8.65x
Panton 7 3333.33x
Stainton Le Vale 7 3333.33x
Binbrooke 6 394.74x
Cheetham 6 17.82x
Coleby 6 1071.43x
Holbeck 6 24.03x
Kirkmond Le Mire 6 3333.33x
Scamblesby 6 1276.60x
St Marylebone London 6 2.95x
Wrawby 6 363.64x
Beeford 5 537.63x
Billingborough 5 322.58x
Boston 5 27.10x
Dunham 5 1428.57x
Hunwick Helmington 5 183.82x
Moulton 5 170.65x
North Kelsey 5 454.55x
Northampton All Sts 5 41.19x
Spalding 5 41.43x
Tealby 5 588.24x
Thornton Le Fen 5 1111.11x
Broughton In Salford 4 9.69x
Donington On Bain 4 645.16x
Gainsborough 4 27.89x
Holton Beckering 4 1904.76x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 4 46.73x
St Swithin Lincoln 4 41.84x
Sutton Bonnington 4 305.34x
Waldridge 4 211.64x
West Keal 4 833.33x
Aldershot 3 11.49x
Clapham 3 6.31x
Horncastle 3 47.77x
Louth Park 3 1666.67x
Mablethorpe 3 361.45x
Nettleham 3 240.00x
St Luke London 3 4.92x
St Mark Lincoln 3 230.77x
Tumby 3 666.67x
Walcott 3 309.28x
Ashby Folville 2 1176.47x
Doncaster 2 7.26x
East Barkwith 2 454.55x
Goulsbey 2 606.06x
Kirkby Cum Osgodby 2 408.16x
Market Rasen 2 58.82x
Martin In Sleaford 2 186.92x
Paddington London 2 1.43x
Potter Hanworth 2 350.88x
Saltfleetby St Clement 2 1176.47x
Sotby 2 800.00x
St Giles In Fields London 2 10.72x
Whaplode Drove 2 196.08x
Wragby 2 298.51x
Beeston 1 16.98x
Belton 1 185.19x
Bristol Christchurch 1 92.59x
Caythorpe 1 85.47x
Dogdyke 1 370.37x
Potter Newton 1 15.04x
Quarndon 1 138.89x
Skirbeck 1 29.33x
Skircoat 1 6.72x
South Willingham 1 232.56x
Thorpe Tilney 1 666.67x
Weston 1 90.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 28
Elizabeth 16
Sarah 16
Emily 9
Ann 8
Ellen 7
Fanny 7
Ada 6
Betsy 6
Eliza 6
Jane 6
Annie 5
Maria 5
Edith 4
Emma 4
Hannah 4
Rebecca 4
Alice 3
Amy 3
Frances 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Anne 2
Bertha 2
May 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Almina 1
Amelia 1
Anney 1
Ava 1
Avi 1
Clara 1
Edna 1
Eliz.A. 1
Emilean 1
Emiley 1
Esther 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lettes 1
Lettis 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Marey 1
Margaret 1
Winfred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 29
William 22
Thomas 14
Joseph 13
George 12
James 9
Charles 8
Edward 8
Henry 8
Christopher 5
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Fred 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
David 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Abraham 1
Alexander 1
C.W. 1
Chrisr. 1
Cornelius 1
Frances 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Godfrey 1
Harley 1
Harnold 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Jeptha 1
Matthew 1
Needham 1
Sidney 1
Ted 1
Thos.W. 1
Tim 1
Tom 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Goy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 389 people were recorded with the Goy surname. That placed it at #8,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 490 in 2016. That gives Goy a modern rank of #10,129.

What does the Goy surname mean?

A Gentile, a non-Jewish person surname of derogatory usage.

What does the Goy map show?

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