Goff is a surname with several distinct origins, mainly Germanic, Celtic,

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

, and French. It is the 946th most common family name in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. When the surname originates from England it is derived from an occupational name from

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

, Welsh, Cornish and Breton. The German ''Goff'' means a godly person, a strong warrior, or a priest. The Welsh ''gof'' and the Breton ''goff'' means "smith" ( cognate with

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

''gobha''). The English-originating surname is common in East Anglia, where it is of Breton origin. The Welsh name is a variant of the surname Gough, and is derived from a

nickname A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

for someone with red hair. The native Irish name is derived from a patronymic form of the Gaelic personal name Eochaidh/Eachaidh, which means "horseman".

Notable people

* Barbara Goff, classics professor *

Bruce Goff Bruce Alonzo Goff (June 8, 1904 – August 4, 1982) was an American architect, distinguished by his organic, eclectic, and often flamboyant designs for houses and other buildings in Oklahoma and elsewhere. A 1951 ''Life Magazine'' article stat ...

, architect *

Darius Goff Darius Goff (10 May 1809 – 14 April 1891) was one of the foremost textile manufacturers in the United States and a leading citizen of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He is known for introducing the manufacture of worsted braids and mohair plush ...

(1809–1891), industrialist and businessman * Frederick R. Goff (1916–1982), librarian *

Greg Goff Greg Goff (born September 24, 1970) is an American college baseball coach who and former pitcher. He is the head baseball coach at Purdue University. Goff played college baseball at Jackson State Community College from 1990 to 1991 and Delta St ...

, American college baseball coach * Guy D. Goff (1866–1933), US Senator from West Virginia * H. N. Goff, American politician and businessman *

Harper Goff Harper Goff (March 16, 1911 – March 3, 1993), born Ralph Harper Goff, was an American artist, musician, and actor. For many years, he was associated with The Walt Disney Company, in the process of which he contributed to various major film ...

, American artist, musician, and actor * Harriet Newell Kneeland Goff (1828–1901), American author, temperance reformer * Helen Lyndon Goff author, better known as P. L. Travers the creator of Mary Poppins *

Jared Goff Jared Thomas Goff (born October 14, 1994) is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California, where he set the Pac-12 Conference season records for passi ...

, American football quarterback *

Jacques Le Goff Jacques Le Goff (1 January 1924 – 1 April 2014) was a French historian and prolific author specializing in the Middle Ages, particularly the 12th and 13th centuries. Le Goff championed the Annales School movement, which emphasizes long-term t ...

, French historian *

Jerry Goff Jerry Leroy Goff (born April 12, 1964) is a former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros. He was listed at and 207 pounds. In his last major league game, ...

, American baseball player * John William Goff (1848–1924), American lawyer and politician from New York *

John William Goff (baseball) John William Goff, also known as Bill Goff (1925–2009), was an American baseball player for the New York Giants during the 1950s, and a starting pitcher for the Giants for four years. He also served as a player and coach for the St. Louis Cardina ...

(1925–2009), American baseball player *

Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff (born December 12, 1985) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt. H ...

, American football player *

Keli Goff Keli Goff (born July 20, 1979) is an American producer, playwright, screenwriter and journalist. She is a contributor to various news outlets and has written for a number of popular television shows, including And Just Like That..., the reboo ...

, American journalist, playwright and screenwriter *

Kellen Goff Kellen Alexander Goff (born February 3, 1995) is an American voice actor. He is most well known for his work in the video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy's, alongside his roles in My Hero Academia, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, ...

, American voice actor * Kenneth Goff, American anti-communist * Martyn Goff (1923–2015), British author, bookseller and literary administrator * Mike Goff (baseball), professional baseball player/manager * Mike Goff (American football), American football player * Nathan Goff Jr., member of the United States Congress *

Phil Goff Philip Bruce Goff (born 22 June 1953) is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1981 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2016. He served as leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition between 11 N ...

, former leader of the Labour Party of New Zealand * Philip Goff (philosopher), British philosopher *

Ray Goff Ray Goff (born July 10, 1955) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Georgia from 1989 to 1995, compiling a record of 46–34–1. Playing career Goff attended the University of Georgia, ...

, American football player and coach *

Reginald Goff Sir Reginald William Goff, PC (22 March 1907 – 17 January 1980) was a British judge. He was a Lord Justice of Appeal between 1975 and his death in 1980, when he was known as Lord Justice Goff. Biography The son of William Kingsley Goff and ...

(1907–1980), English judge * Robert Goff (football player), American football player *

Robert Goff, Baron Goff of Chieveley Robert Lionel Archibald Goff, Baron Goff of Chieveley, (12 November 1926 – 14 August 2016) was an English barrister and judge who was Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, the equivalent of today's President of the Supreme Court. Best known for ...

(1926–2016), British judge and law lord * Sir Park Goff, 1st Baronet, British Conservative party politician, MP *

Sidney Clayton Goff Sidney Clayton Goff (January 23, 1861 – May 18, 1935) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Biography Goff was born on January 23, 1861 in East Troy, Wisconsin. His father, Sidney Calkins Goff, was Sheriff of Walworth County, Wisconsin. ...

(1861–1935), American dentist and politician * Stan Goff (born 1951), author * Thomas Goff (1867–1949), Irish/English landowner and politician * Thomas William Goff (1829–1876), Irish Conservative party politician, MP * Trish Goff (born 1976), fashion model

References

External links

Goff/Gough Surname DNA Study

The Goff Surname, Ancestry.com

The Gough Surname, Ancestry.com

The McGough Surname, Ancestry.com

The Goff-Gough Family Association

Notable people

References

External links

See also