Goldsmith

Goldsmith
This interesting and unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is from an occupational name for a worker in gold, derived from a compound of the Olde English pre 7th Century "gold", similar to the Old High German "gold", and the Middle English (1200 - 1500) "smith", from the Olde English "smith", a smith, probably a derivative of "smitan", to strike, hammer. To a large extent it is an Anglicized form of the German "Goldschmid(t)". Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that these terms and their cognomens and equivalents were perhaps the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. The surname was first recorded in the mid 13th Century, and early recordings of the surname include: Thomas Goldsmith, witness in the 1255 Assize Rolls of Essex; and John le Goldesmethe in the 1309 "Calendar of Letter Books of Devonshire". Probably the best known namebearer was Oliver Goldsmith (1728 - 1774), the Irish poet, dramatist and novelist, whose works include the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766), the poem "The Deserted Village" (1770), and the comedy "She Stoops to Conquer" (1773). A Coat of Arms granted to a Goldsmith family in Hampshire is a red shield, a chevron silver three crosses crosslet black on a chief gold, a lion passant red, the Crest being a stork black bezantee. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Goldsmiz, which was dated 1250, in the "Middle English Surnames of Occupation", Norfolk, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Goldsmith — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Clio Goldsmith (* 1957), französische Schauspielerin Elaine Goldsmith Thomas (* ?), US amerikanische Filmproduzentin James Goldsmith (1933 1997), britisch französischer Milliardär Jerry Goldsmith… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • GOLDSMITH (O.) — Polygraphe doué, esprit encyclopédique, comme on en trouve tant à son époque, Goldsmith ne met en œuvre toutefois qu’une information superficielle et manquant parfois de sûreté. Curieux d’esprit, généreux et sensible, volontiers moralisant,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Goldsmith — Goldsmith, TX U.S. city in Texas Population (2000): 253 Housing Units (2000): 113 Land area (2000): 0.317934 sq. miles (0.823446 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.317934 sq. miles (0.823446 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Goldsmith, TX — U.S. city in Texas Population (2000): 253 Housing Units (2000): 113 Land area (2000): 0.317934 sq. miles (0.823446 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.317934 sq. miles (0.823446 sq. km) FIPS code:… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Goldsmith — Gold smith , n. [AS. goldsmi?. See {Gold}., and {Smith}.] 1. An artisan who manufactures vessels and ornaments, etc., of gold. [1913 Webster] 2. A banker. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Note: The goldsmiths of London formerly received money on deposit… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Goldsmith — (spr. gōldsmith), Oliver, engl. Dichter und Romanschriftsteller, geb. 10. Nov. 1728 im Dorfe Pallas in der irischen Grafschaft Longford, gest. 4. April 1774 in London, war der Sohn eines Geistlichen, der zwei Jahre später nach dem freundlichen… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Goldsmith — (spr. Gohldsmiddh), Oliver, geb. 10. Novbr. 1728 zu Pallas in der irländischen Grafschaft Longford, Sohn eines Landpredigers; er wurde Anfangs für die Handlung bestimmt, studirte aber dann in Dublin Theologie. Dort entwich er u. obgleich er bald… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Goldsmith — Goldsmith, Oliver, engl. Dichter und Schriftsteller, geb. 10. Nov. 1728 zu Pallace (Irland), gest. 4. April 1774 zu London, Verfasser des berühmten Romans »The Vicar of Wakefield« (1766; deutsch 1776 u.ö.); schrieb auch Gedichte (»The traveller« …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Goldsmith — (–smit), Oliver, geb. 1728 in Irland, nach der gangbarsten Annahme zu Pallas in der Grafschaft Longford, gest. 1774 zu London nach einem ziemlich unstäten u. oft bedrängten Leben. Sein Name lebt fort durch die weltbekannte Dichtung des »Vicar of… …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Goldsmith — Goldsmith, Oliver …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Goldsmith — (Oliver) (1728 1774) écrivain anglais: le Vicaire de Wakefield (1766), roman sentimental; Elle s abaisse pour vaincre (1773), comédie …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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