This unusual surname is Olde English pre 7th century in origin. It has nothing directly to do with "hawking" and even less gold. It is one of a small group of Anglo-Saxon surnames which mysteriously survived the Norman Invasion of 1066, and the famous Crusades of the 12th century. From these points in history it became "politically correct" to call ones children by either French names such as William, Richard or Henry, or biblical names such as Thomas, John, and Simon. Nethertheless Goldbard, Goldfinch, and Goldhawk did survive, and the nameholders in the 20th century should be proud that they can trace their origin back to the very dawn of written history, and possibly beyond. The name derives from the Olde English "golde-hafoc", and originally this was a baptismal and presumeably pagan name. In so far as the name had an epi-centre, this was probably East Anglia and specifically the county of Essex, considered to be a very remote area in those far off times. The name as a baptismal name is recorded at St Bartholomews Hospital, London, in the year 1212, the holder probably being a monk. The first recording as a surname is only a few years later, Robert Goldauek being recorded as a land owner in Essex, in the tax rolls known as "The feet of fines" in the year 1219. Swain Goldhauc, believed to be his son, appears in the same rolls for Essex but in the year 1235. This was in the reign of King Henry 111 of England, 1216 - 1272.

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