Goldman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Goldman emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person’s father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Goldman is derived from the Old English personal names Golda or Golde, which were supplemented by the augmentative suffix -man. Goldmann is first recorded on an Essex coin dating from around the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. 1

“Goldman was the appropriate name of a moneyer temp. William I.” 2

Early Origins of the Goldman family

The surname Goldman was first found in Essex at about the time of the Conquest. Later, Adam Goldeman was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297 and later again, Maud Goldman was listed in 1393. 1

In Scotland, “the name of a family long notable in the mercantile annals of Dundee, and supposed by some to have come from Flanders. Goldman, however, is an Old English personal name. The first of the name mentioned in Dundee records is James Goldman, admitted burgess in 1562.” 3