Surname Gooding - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Surprising Scandinavian and Globe-Trotting Roots of the Surname Gooding Through iGENEA DNA Test

Venturing into the unknown, I undertook an iGENEA DNA test to unveil the roots of my surname, Gooding. With a blend of excitement and anticipation, I had prepared myself for surprises, yet the revelations cracked the shell of my imagination.

Q. Gooding

Gooding: What does the surname Gooding mean?

The surname Gooding is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it's a patronymic form of the Middle English personal name "Goding", which means "God(a)’s people". Other derivations of this name could be from the Old English pre-7th Century word "God(a)" meaning "good", and "-ing(as)", a suffix used to form tribal and family names. In those cases, it would translate to “the good family” or “descendants of the good [one]”. It may also be a locational name from Godington, a place in Oxfordshire, named with "Goda" + "ing", belonging to" + "tun", an enclosure, settlement. This surname first appeared in records in the early 13th century in England. Like many other surnames, variations of spelling over centuries include Goodinge, Gooding, Goodin, and Goodings. Nowadays, Gooding is a common last name in both England and United States.

Gooding: Where does the name Gooding come from?

The surname Gooding is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is common in England. It was first found in Essex, England, where the Gooding family had a family seat, i.e., an ancestral residence. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Godwine," which means "god-friend." Variations of the surname include Gooding, Goodin, Goodings, and others.

In the early era, the family played a significant role in local county affairs and played essential roles in the political development of the nation. Many branches of the family established themselves in various regions throughout the United Kingdom.

Today, it is most commonly found in England, especially in the East of England. However, due to historical emigration, it can be found in various English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A famous contemporary bearer of this surname is actor Cuba Gooding Jr., perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning role in the film "Jerry Maguire," highlighting the spread of this name to the United States.

Variations of the surname Gooding

The surname Gooding is primarily of English origin and has been traced back to pre-10th century Old English. Its variations include Goodin, Goodings, Goodinge, Gidding, Giddings, Gooden, and Goodyng. Other less common variants may include Goodenough or Goodner, although they are more likely to be different surnames altogether rather than variations of Gooding.

A lot of these surnames have similar origins in Old and Middle English names, stemming from the personal name Godin. Diminutives of the name, such as Goodkin or Goodcock, may also be possible surnames or variations. In terms of spelling variations, it's also possible that some letters may have been added, replaced, or removed over time due to changes in language or cultural influences, leading to versions of the name like Gooden, Goodyn or Goodon.

Surnames often changed over time based on phonetic spelling or regional accents, leading to a variety of different spellings for the original name. This process was often not standardized until relatively recently, leading to a wide variety of possibilities in early records which can make tracing the history of a surname like Gooding quite complex.

Famous people with the name Gooding

• Cuba Gooding Jr.: An award-winning American actor, best known for his roles in "Jerry Maguire," "Boyz n the Hood," and "A Few Good Men."
• Cuba Gooding Sr.: The late American singer and actor, and father of Cuba Gooding Jr. He was the lead vocalist of the soul group The Main Ingredient, known for their hit "Everybody Plays the Fool."
• Omar Gooding: An American actor, younger brother of Cuba Gooding Jr. He is known for his roles in TV shows like "Wild & Crazy Kids," "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," and "Smart Guy."
• April Gooding: An American actress, sister of Cuba Gooding Jr. and Omar Gooding. She has appeared in films like "Baby Boy" and "Life of a King."
• Sara Kapfer: The ex-wife of Cuba Gooding Jr., she became famous because of her connection to the Gooding family.
• Mason Gooding: Rising American actor and the son of Cuba Gooding Jr. Known for his roles in movies like "Booksmart" and "Love, Victor."
• Tommy Gooding: An American musician and the brother of Cuba Gooding Jr. He played with the band The Main Ingredient after their father left.

Other surnames

GoodieGoodiesonGoodinGoodinsonGoodison