Surname Goldsmid - Meaning and Origin

Goldsmid: What does the surname Goldsmid mean?

Goldsmid is an Ashkenazi Jewish name of German origin, which is derived from the German term “Goldsmidt” which in turn is derived from the German “Gold” meaning “gold”, and “Smith” meaning “smith”, hence Goldsmid is a toponymic surname (refers to a place of origin) indicating a place whose name was derived from the presence of gold (alloy) processing.

The Goldsmid family is a prominent Jewish family, spanning several centuries, with origins dating back to the 16th century. Some members of the Goldsmid family were known to be influential bankers, political activists, and philanthropists.

An example of one such figure is Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, an Anglo-Jewish Dutch-born banker and the first Jewish baronet of England. He was instrumental in aiding Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Europe in the 19th century and in the liberation of many Jewish slaves in the Mediterranean and North Africa. He was also a friend and mentor to prominent Jewish figures such as Sir Moses Montefiore.

Another prominent figure was Francis Henry Goldsmid, a British politician, lawyer and the first Jewish Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom. He was known for his work in abolishing Jewish disability laws and for his strong support for the causes of emancipation and civil liberty.

In conclusion, Goldsmid is a well-known and respected last name, with prominent family members of Jewish origin who had a major impact on the history of Europe and the Jewish people.

Goldsmid: Where does the name Goldsmid come from?

The surname Goldsmid is most commonly found today amongst Jewish populations, particularly in Europe and Israel. This is due to its roots in Jewish culture, as Goldsmid stems from the traditional Ashkenazi Jewish surname Goldschmidt, meaning ‘Child of Gold’. The name is also known to have originated from the Yiddish word ‘Goldschmeid’, meaning a certain type of jeweller.

Today, the Goldsmid name is highly prevalent in Israel, where many Jews of Ashkenazi descent now live, and in countries with large Jewish populations, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. It is particularly widespread in London, where many Jews have emigrated from other parts of Europe.

In addition, the Goldsmid surname can be found amongst descendants of Jewish immigrants to Latin America, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, albeit less frequently than in Europe and Israel.

Finally, a few Goldsmid families are scattered across other parts of the world, such as Australia, South Africa, and India – many of which are descendants of Jewish families who chose to emigrate from Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Variations of the surname Goldsmid

The surname Goldsmid is an occupational surname derived from the term for a goldsmith. It is an English surname, but variations of it can be found all across Central and Western Europe, as goldsmiths were a common occupation for centuries and the surname was adapted to local languages and dialects.

The most common variant of Goldsmid is the Dutch spelling, Goudsmid or Goudsmits. This spelling is also found in the region now known as Germany, as Goldschmidt. In Scandinavia, Goldsmid is found as Guldsmed. In the countries of Spain and Portugal, the spelling is Ouroso or Ourôso.

Some additional surnames derived from the occupation of goldsmith are Goldinger, Goldfarb, Goltz, Ginor, and Orlov. These all came from Jewish lineages, telling of their family's long-standing involvement in the trade.

Many other surnames that originated as a surname given to someone employed as a goldsmith have been changed to seemingly unrelated words, such as Napier in Scotland, where it was derived from the Scottish Gaelic word for goldsmith Naomhaire.

Additionally, Goldsmid has also developed into multiple compound surnames, such as Goldsmith-Barnes, Goldsmid-Smith, and Goldsmid-Stevens. Compound surnames are when surnames are joined together by hyphens to create a new family name.

Overall, the surname Goldsmid has a long and varied history, and adjusting to different languages and cultures around the world has created many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Goldsmid

• Sir Francis Henry Goldsmid: He was the first Jewish barrister in the United Kingdom and a pioneer of the Jewish emancipation movement. He also served in the Indian Civil Service.
• Lt. Col. Theodore Moses Goldsmid: He was a British merchant and soldier, as well as the influential head of the Goldsmid family.
• Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid: He was a notable banker, reformer, and philanthropist who served as a Member of Parliament and was instrumental in the founding of University College London.
• Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild: He was a wealthy member of the Rothschild banking family.
• Sir Philip Magnus Goldsmid: He was an English stockbroker and political reformer.
• Major-General Sir Walter Fletcher Goldsmid: He was a British soldier and Courtier of the Royal Victorian Order.
• Sir Albert Edward Goldsmid: He was a British diplomat and author.
• Rabbi Dr. Solomon Goldsmid: He was an influential religious figure, serving as Secretary of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation.
• Sgt. Major Edward Goldsmid: He was a Royal Marine who served with distinction before passing away in 1911 during active duty.
• Reuben Goldsmid: He was a successful automotive entrepreneur in Australia.

Other surnames

GoldsmithGoldsmits