Origin of Gouck
Recorded as Gawk, Gawke, Gook, Gooke, Gouck, the patronymics Gawkes, Goakes, Gokes, and Gookes, the diminutives Gooken, Goky, Gookie, Gooky, Gookey, and possibly others, this interesting and usually rare surname, is English. However it derives from the pre 7th century Norse word "gauke" and the later Middle English "goke", meaning a cuckoo. As such it is one of a major group of nickname surnames taken from birds or animals, and which in this case may have described a noisy person, or perhaps given the robust humour of the period, the reverse! The surname is one of the earliest recorded as shown below, and the fact that it has survived through to the 21st century would suggest that it was a name of endearment.
Early examples of recordings taken from surviving rolls and charters of the mnedieval period include Thomas Gouk or Gouck, in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1419, Thomas Gauke, in the register of the Freemen of the city of York in 1424, and John Gook also recorded in the same register in 1524. Examples of the surname recordings taken at random from surviving registers of the city of London, include Margaret Gookes, christened on July 8th 1656 at St. Giles Cipplegate, Rebecca Goky or Gooky who married George Holmes at St Brides Fleet Street, on June 24th 1703, Jacob Goaks who married Mary Webster on February 3rd 1763 at St. Olave, Southwark, and Stuart Gouck who married Sophia Hall at St Mary's Bermondsey, on November 28th 1815. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alan Gok. This was dated 1219, in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Henry 111rd of England, 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The surname Gouck. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance
The history of the surname gouck is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of gouck. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname gouck is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.
The surname Gouck around the world
It is common for surnames like gouck to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname gouck provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
History of Gouck
The historical journey of the surname gouck can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of gouck. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname gouck, 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 gouck developed.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname gouck, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. 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 gouck and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Notable Figures Named Gouck
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all goucks who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname gouck were recorded by the chroniclers of the time.
The surname Gouck and its bibliographic sources
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname gouck. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of gouck are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.
SOURCES
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of gouck, and at the same time, of surnames in general.
