Meaning and origin
The origin of the last name Goins can be traced back to the early medieval period in France. Derived from the Old French word "gognon," meaning a bridle or bit, Goins originated as a descriptive surname for individuals associated with horses or horse-related trades. Over time, the name evolved and spread across regions, particularly to England and the United States, where it underwent various phonetic changes and spellings. The name Goins is thus a testament to historical connections, reflecting occupations and ancestral ties within the equestrian domain.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,574
Goins was the 1,574th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 22,837 people, about 7.4 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Goins
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Goins is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.