Golden
A surname referring to someone with blond hair, a cheerful disposition, or a connection to gold or wealth.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 57,343 Americans carry the last name Golden. That puts it at #699 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 16.73 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 5,977 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Golden surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
57K
1 in 5,977
Census rank
#699
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
16.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
49K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 49,360 bearers of the surname Golden in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 16.73 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 699th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Golden, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.7%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Golden
The surname Golden is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gylden," meaning "golden" or "gilded." This surname likely originated as a descriptive name, referring to someone with golden hair or a fair complexion.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Golden surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166, where a certain Robert Golden is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use during the latter part of the 12th century.
In the 13th century, the Golden surname appeared in various records across England, including the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where a William Golden is listed. This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of the country by that time.
During the 14th century, the Golden surname continued to be documented in various historical records. For instance, in 1379, a John Golden is mentioned in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire. Additionally, the Cartularium Monasterij de Rameseia, a 14th-century manuscript from the Ramsey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, includes references to individuals with the Golden surname.
Prominent figures with the Golden surname throughout history include Sir Thomas Golden (1508-1586), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure is Edward Golden (1624-1701), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Archdeacon of Sudbury.
The Golden surname also has connections to place names in England. For example, there is a village called Golden Green in Kent, which may have influenced the development of the surname in that region.
Other notable individuals with the Golden surname include John Golden (1875-1935), an American theatrical producer and manager who was instrumental in the development of Broadway theatre. Additionally, there is Harry Golden (1902-1981), an American humorist and author known for his satirical works on Jewish life in the American South.
It is worth noting that the Golden surname has undergone various spelling variations over time, such as Golding, Goulden, and Goulding, among others. These variations often reflect regional dialects or scribal errors in historical records.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Golden
Among Census respondents with the surname Golden, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.7%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Golden bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Golden surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.7%
- Black or African American19.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Golden surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #699 | #699 | 0.0% |
| Count | 49,360 | 49,360 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 16.73 | 16.73 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Golden bearers went from 49,360 to 49,360 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #699 to #699.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Golden
FAQ
Golden surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Golden?
The surname Golden holds position #699 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 57,343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 16.73 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Golden surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Golden, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.7%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Hispanic (2.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.