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

Goodin, 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 Goodin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Goodin in America

Goodin is the 4917th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Goodin surname appeared 7,153 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Goodin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Goodin 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 Goodin

The surname Goodin has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period, specifically in the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place name, possibly "Goodwin" or a variation thereof.

The earliest recorded instance of the name can be traced back to the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Godwine." This entry suggests that the name may have originated from the Old English personal name "Godwine," which translates to "friend of God" or "divine friend."

In the 14th century, the name appears in various records with spelling variations such as "Godwyn," "Godwyne," and "Goodwyn." These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and the influence of local dialects and scribal interpretations.

One notable historical figure with the surname Goodin was Sir William Goodin, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical documents from that era, including land grants and legal proceedings.

Another significant bearer of the name was John Goodin, born in 1587, who was a renowned scholar and theologian. He published several works on religious subjects and held influential positions within the Church of England.

In the 17th century, the name appears in the parish records of various English counties, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. This suggests that the Goodin family had established roots in different regions of the country by that time.

The surname Goodin can also be found in connection with several place names across England, such as Goodwin Sands, a treacherous sandbank located off the coast of Kent. This association further reinforces the locational origins of the name.

Prominent individuals with the surname Goodin include Sir Francis Goodin (1612-1687), a renowned military commander who served in the English Civil War, and Elizabeth Goodin (1733-1804), a celebrated author and poet of her time.

While the surname Goodin is not among the most common in England, its historical roots and associations with notable figures contribute to its rich heritage and enduring presence in the country's annals.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Goodin

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

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 Goodin 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 Goodin 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 Goodin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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