Recorded in several spellings including Gough, Gouge, Gouch and Gooch, this interesting surname is medieval English. It has two possible origins, both ultimately Gaelic or Celtic. Firstly it may be an occupational name deriving from the pre 7th century Ancient Gaelic word "gobha", or the Cornish-Breton word "goff", both meaning worker in iron. As Gooch and sometimes Gouch, it is claimed to be widespread in the region of England known as East Anglia, the name there being was introduced from Brittany by followers of Duke William of Normandy, at or after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
Secondly it may derive from another Gaelic or Celtic word "coch", meaning red. This was much used in pre medieval Wales and also England, as a nickname for a person with red hair or ruddly complexion. It may also have been an ethnic name of abuse for the Anglo-Saxon invaders of the 5th century, who settled in England in the 6th century, and gradually pushed many Olde English into Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany, in France. The surname is one of the earliest recorded with examples from early records and charters including Felicia Goch in the rolls known as the "Calendar of Inquisitones post mortem", in Gloucestershire in 1305, the Subsidy Rolls of Essex in 1327 mention a John Guch and William Gugge, and the court rolls of the borough of Colchester list John Gooch in 1374. Thomas Gouge (1609-1681) a notable namebearer, was educated at Eton and Kings College Cambridge and provided work for the poor in flax and hemp-spinning. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Goch. This was dated 1203, in the registers known as the "Pleas before the King or his Justices (1198 -1202) for the county of Shropshire. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname gouch is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of gouch. Research into the possible origins of gouch leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname gouch is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.
It is common for surnames like gouch to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that gouch has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where gouch is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname gouch provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname gouch can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of gouch. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named gouch are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname gouch, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of gouch developed.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname gouch, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of gouch could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about gouch and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all gouchs who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname gouch, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname gouch were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname gouch who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname gouch. The bibliography collects information related to the surname gouch, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of gouch are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of gouch, and at the same time, of surnames in general.