Gudgeon

Gudgeon
Recorded as Gudgeon, Gudgion, Gudgen and Gudgin, this is an English surname. However it is French in origin from the word goujon, the name of a fish considered easy to catch. As such the surname may have been a nickname for a fisherman, or for a credulous person. Surnames from medieval nicknames are amongst the largest grouping in the surname lists, indeed there are some researchers who claim that essentially all surnames are a form of nickname. In this case the word was introducued into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and first appears in records in the 13th century (see below). These recordings include Robert Gugiun in the Curia Regis rolls of 1221, whilst Henry Gojun is mentioned in the Subsidy Tax Rolls of Staffordshire in the same year. Other recordings taken at random from surviving church registers include Simon Gudgin who married Elizabeth Cramphorne at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on June 11th 1635, and John Gudgion who was christened at St. James Clerkenwell, city of London on February 23rd 1651. Peter Gudgeone married Elizabeth Bunny also at St. James Clerkenwell on November 25th 1652 whilst Elizabeth Gudgeon was christened at St. Michaels church, St. Albans, Hertfordshire on January 12th 1783. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Peter Guggun. This was dated 1206, in the Curia Regis rolls of Lancashire, during the reign of King John, 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes 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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  • Gudgeon — Gud geon (g[u^]j [u^]n), n. [OE. gojon, F. goujon, from L. gobio, or gobius, Gr. kwbio s Cf. {1st Goby}. ] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A small European freshwater fish ({Gobio fluviatilis}), allied to the carp. It is easily caught and often used for food and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gudgeon — Ⅰ. gudgeon [1] ► NOUN ▪ a small freshwater fish often used as bait by anglers. ORIGIN Old French goujon, from Latin gobius goby . Ⅱ. gudgeon [2] ► NOUN 1) a pivot or spindle on which something swings or ro …   English terms dictionary

  • Gudgeon — Gud geon, v. t. To deprive fraudulently; to cheat; to dupe; to impose upon. [R.] [1913 Webster] To be gudgeoned of the opportunities which had been given you. Sir IV. Scott. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gudgeon — gudgeon1 [guj′ən] n. [ME gogeon < OFr goujon < L gobio < Gr kōbios] 1. any of a genus (Gobio) of small, European, freshwater cyprinoid fishes that are easily caught and used for bait 2. any of various other fishes, as a goby or killifish …   English World dictionary

  • Gudgeon — For the freshwater fish, see gudgeon (fish). In general, a gudgeon is a circular fitting, often made of metal, which is fixed onto some surface. It allows for the pivoting of another fixture. It is generally used with a pintle, which is a male… …   Wikipedia

  • gudgeon — {{11}}gudgeon (1) small freshwater fish, early 15c., from M.Fr. goujon, from O.Fr. gojon (14c.), from L. gobionem (nom. gobio), alteration of gobius, from Gk. kobios, a kind of fish, of unknown origin. The figurative sense of a credulous person… …   Etymology dictionary

  • gudgeon — I. /ˈgʌdʒən/ (say gujuhn) noun 1. (plural gudgeon or gudgeons) any of various species of small marine and freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae, as the snakehead gudgeon, Ophiocara aporos, of northern Australia. 2. (plural gudgeon or gudgeons) a …  

  • gudgeon — gudgeon1 /guj euhn/, n. 1. a small, European, freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, of the minnow family, having a threadlike barbel at each corner of the mouth, used as bait. 2. any of certain related fishes. 3. a person who is easily duped or cheated.… …   Universalium

  • gudgeon — paprastasis gružlys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Gobio gobio angl. gudgeon rus. обыкновенный пескарь ryšiai: platesnis terminas – paprastieji gružliai …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • gudgeon — 1. n. 1 a small European freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, often used as bait. 2 a credulous or easily fooled person. Etymology: ME f. OF goujon f. L gobio onis GOBY 2. n. 1 any of various kinds of pivot working a wheel, bell, etc. 2 the tubular part …   Useful english dictionary

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