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

Goshorn, 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 Goshorn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Goshorn in America

Goshorn is the 18262nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Goshorn surname appeared 1,521 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Goshorn.

We can also compare 2010 data for Goshorn 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 Goshorn

The surname "GOSHORN" is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "gos," meaning "goose," and the suffix "-horn," which was often used to indicate a place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in a 1567 census record from the town of Goshorndorf, located in the modern-day state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This suggests that the name may have originated in this region and was likely associated with a person who lived near or worked with geese.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various German church records and tax rolls, indicating its continued use and presence in different parts of the country. One notable individual from this period was Johann Goshorn (1623-1689), a prominent merchant and landowner from the city of Nuremberg.

As the centuries progressed, the name spread beyond the borders of Germany, with some bearers of the name emigrating to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas. In the 18th century, records show a family by the name of Goshorn settling in the British colony of Pennsylvania.

One of the earliest documented Goshorns in the United States was Johannes Goshorn (1732-1814), a farmer who immigrated from Germany and settled in Virginia. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of the country, with some even serving in the American Revolutionary War.

Another notable figure bearing the name was Sarah Goshorn (1788-1856), a pioneering educator and abolitionist who founded one of the first schools for African American children in Ohio. Her efforts played a significant role in promoting education and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.

In the 19th century, the name appeared in various historical records, including census data and military records. One such individual was William Goshorn (1821-1895), a Union Army soldier who fought in the American Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle.

As the name spread across different regions and countries, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged, including Goshaun, Goshaun, and Goshorn. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in its German heritage, reflecting a connection to geese or a place associated with these birds.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Goshorn

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

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

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

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