Find out how popular the last name Goley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Goley.

Goley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Goley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Goley in America

Goley is the 22471st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Goley surname appeared 1,145 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Goley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Goley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Goley

The surname GOLEY is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is thought to have derived from the Old English word "golde," meaning "golden," suggesting a connection to someone with golden hair or a person associated with the trade of goldsmithing.

During the medieval period, the name GOLEY was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset. Records from the 13th century indicate that a certain John Goley held lands in the village of Nailsworth, located in the county of Gloucestershire. This John Goley is considered one of the earliest known bearers of this surname.

In the 14th century, the name GOLEY appears in various legal documents and property records from the region. One notable individual was Richard Goley, a wealthy merchant from Bristol who lived between 1320 and 1387. He was known for his successful trading ventures and his contributions to the local community.

As the centuries passed, the GOLEY name spread across England, with families settling in different regions. In the 16th century, a prominent figure was Sir Thomas Goley (1505-1572), a respected lawyer and judge who served during the reign of Elizabeth I. He is remembered for his expertise in property law and his reputation for fairness.

Another notable bearer of the GOLEY surname was William Goley (1632-1701), a renowned architect and stonemason from Oxfordshire. He was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings, including the St. Mary's Church in the town of Witney. His skills and craftsmanship were highly praised during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the GOLEY name gained further recognition with the achievements of Elizabeth Goley (1745-1824), a pioneering educator and philanthropist from Dorset. She established several schools for underprivileged children and worked tirelessly to promote education and literacy in her community.

During the 19th century, the GOLEY family continued to make significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was John Goley (1810-1884), a successful businessman and industrialist from Manchester. He played a pivotal role in the development of the city's textile industry and was known for his innovative approaches to manufacturing.

While the origins of the GOLEY surname can be traced back to England, over time, families bearing this name have spread across the globe, leaving their mark on diverse cultures and societies. The name continues to hold a rich legacy, reflecting the perseverance, achievements, and varied contributions of its bearers throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Goley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Goley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Goley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Goley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Goley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Goley, please contact us.

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