Goff is a surname with several distinct origins, mainly
Germanic,
Celtic,
Jewish
Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...
, and
French. It is the 946th most common
family name in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. When the surname originates from England it is derived from an occupational name from
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
,
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...
,
Cornish and
Breton
Breton most often refers to:
*anything associated with Brittany, and generally
** Breton people
** Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic Celtic language of the Indo-European language family, spoken in Brittany
** Breton (horse), a breed
**Ga ...
. The German ''Goff'' means a godly person, a strong warrior, or a priest. The Welsh ''gof'' and the Breton ''goff'' means "smith" (
cognate with
Irish
Irish may refer to:
Common meanings
* Someone or something of, from, or related to:
** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe
***Éire, Irish language name for the isle
** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
''gobha''). The English-originating surname is common in
East Anglia, where it is of Breton origin. The Welsh name is a variant of the surname
Gough, and is derived from a
nickname
A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...
for someone with
red hair. The native Irish name is derived from a patronymic form of the Gaelic personal name Eochaidh/Eachaidh, which means "horseman".
Notable people
*
Barbara Goff
Barbara Elizabeth Goff is a Classics Professor at the University of Reading. She specialises in Greek tragedy and its reception; women in antiquity; postcolonial classics and reception of Greek political thought.
Education
Goff undertook her ...
, classics professor
*
Bruce Goff
Bruce Alonzo Goff (June 8, 1904 – August 4, 1982) was an American architect, distinguished by his organic, eclectic, and often flamboyant designs for houses and other buildings in Oklahoma and elsewhere.
A 1951 ''Life Magazine'' article stat ...
, architect
*
Darius Goff
Darius Goff (10 May 1809 – 14 April 1891) was one of the foremost textile manufacturers in the United States and a leading citizen of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He is known for introducing the manufacture of worsted braids and mohair plush ...
(1809–1891), industrialist and businessman
*
Frederick R. Goff (1916–1982), librarian
*
Greg Goff
Greg Goff (born September 24, 1970) is an American college baseball coach who and former pitcher. He is the head baseball coach at Purdue University. Goff played college baseball at Jackson State Community College from 1990 to 1991 and Delta St ...
, American college baseball coach
*
Guy D. Goff (1866–1933), US Senator from West Virginia
*
H. N. Goff, American politician and businessman
*
Harper Goff
Harper Goff (March 16, 1911 – March 3, 1993), born Ralph Harper Goff, was an American artist, musician, and actor. For many years, he was associated with The Walt Disney Company, in the process of which he contributed to various major film ...
, American artist, musician, and actor
*
Harriet Newell Kneeland Goff
Harriet Newell Kneeland Goff (, Kneeland; pen name, H. N. K. Goff; October 10, 1828 - April 10, 1901) was an American temperance reformer and author. For many years, she was a contributor to the public press, and three books followed, ''Was it an ...
(1828–1901), American author, temperance reformer
*
Helen Lyndon Goff
Pamela Lyndon Travers (; born Helen Lyndon Goff; 9 August 1899 – 23 April 1996) was an Australian-British writer who spent most of her career in England. She is best known for the ''Mary Poppins'' series of books, which feature the eponymous ...
author, better known as P. L. Travers the creator of Mary Poppins
*
Jared Goff
Jared Thomas Goff (born October 14, 1994) is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California, where he set the Pac-12 Conference season records for passi ...
, American football quarterback
*
Jacques Le Goff
Jacques Le Goff (1 January 1924 – 1 April 2014) was a French historian and prolific author specializing in the Middle Ages, particularly the 12th and 13th centuries.
Le Goff championed the Annales School movement, which emphasizes long-term t ...
, French historian
*
Jerry Goff
Jerry Leroy Goff (born April 12, 1964) is a former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros. He was listed at and 207 pounds. In his last major league game, ...
, American baseball player
*
John William Goff
John William Goff, Sr. (January 1, 1848 – November 9, 1924) was an American lawyer and judge from New York City.
Early life and education
Born in County Wexford, Ireland, Goff emigrated with his family to the United States while still a chil ...
(1848–1924), American lawyer and politician from New York
*
John William Goff (baseball)
John William Goff, also known as Bill Goff (1925–2009), was an American baseball player for the New York Giants during the 1950s, and a starting pitcher for the Giants for four years. He also served as a player and coach for the St. Louis Cardina ...
(1925–2009), American baseball player
*
Jonathan Goff
Jonathan Goff (born December 12, 1985) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt. H ...
, American football player
*
Keli Goff
Keli Goff (born July 20, 1979) is an American producer, playwright, screenwriter and journalist. She is a contributor to various news outlets and has written for a number of popular television shows, including And Just Like That..., the reboo ...
, American journalist, playwright and screenwriter
*
Kellen Goff
Kellen Alexander Goff (born February 3, 1995) is an American voice actor. He is most well known for his work in the video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy's, alongside his roles in My Hero Academia, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, ...
, American voice actor
*
Kenneth Goff, American anti-communist
*
Martyn Goff (1923–2015), British author, bookseller and literary administrator
*
Mike Goff (baseball), professional baseball player/manager
*
Mike Goff (American football)
Michael Jason Goff (born January 6, 1976) is a former American football Guard (American football), guard and coach. He currently serves as an Offensive Line coach at San Diego State. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of ...
, American football player
*
Nathan Goff Jr., member of the United States Congress
*
Phil Goff
Philip Bruce Goff (born 22 June 1953) is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1981 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2016. He served as leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition between 11 N ...
, former leader of the Labour Party of New Zealand
*
Philip Goff (philosopher), British philosopher
*
Ray Goff
Ray Goff (born July 10, 1955) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Georgia from 1989 to 1995, compiling a record of 46–34–1.
Playing career
Goff attended the University of Georgia, ...
, American football player and coach
*
Reginald Goff
Sir Reginald William Goff, PC (22 March 1907 – 17 January 1980) was a British judge. He was a Lord Justice of Appeal between 1975 and his death in 1980, when he was known as Lord Justice Goff.
Biography
The son of William Kingsley Goff and ...
(1907–1980), English judge
*
Robert Goff (football player), American football player
*
Robert Goff, Baron Goff of Chieveley
Robert Lionel Archibald Goff, Baron Goff of Chieveley, (12 November 1926 – 14 August 2016) was an English barrister and judge who was Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, the equivalent of today's President of the Supreme Court. Best known for ...
(1926–2016), British judge and law lord
*
Sir Park Goff, 1st Baronet, British Conservative party politician, MP
*
Sidney Clayton Goff
Sidney Clayton Goff (January 23, 1861 – May 18, 1935) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Biography
Goff was born on January 23, 1861 in East Troy, Wisconsin. His father, Sidney Calkins Goff, was Sheriff of Walworth County, Wisconsin. ...
(1861–1935), American dentist and politician
*
Stan Goff (born 1951), author
*
Thomas Goff (1867–1949), Irish/English landowner and politician
*
Thomas William Goff (1829–1876), Irish Conservative party politician, MP
*
Trish Goff
Trish Goff (born June 8, 1976) is an American Model (person), model, actress and real estate broker.
Early life and career
Goff was born and raised in Northern Florida. She was discovered by a modeling scout at the age of 15. After being disc ...
(born 1976), fashion model
References
External links
Goff/Gough Surname DNA StudyThe Goff Surname, Ancestry.comThe Gough Surname, Ancestry.comThe McGough Surname, Ancestry.com The Goff-Gough Family Association
See also
*
Le Goff
Le Goff is a Breton language, Breton surname. Its English equivalent is Smith (surname), Smith. Notable people with the name include:
* Élie Le Goff (1858–1938), French sculptor
* Eugène Le Goff (1909–1998), French racing cyclist
* Jack Le G ...
, another surname
{{surname
German-language surnames
Cornish-language surnames
Breton-language surnames
Occupational surnames
Dutch-language surnames
Jewish surnames
English-language surnames
French-language surnames