This name is of English locational origin from a place in Lincolnshire called Goulceby. Recorded as Colchebi in the Domesday Book of 1086 and as Golckesbi in the 1185 Knights Templars Records of that county, the first element is believed to be the Olde Norse personal name Colc or Golk (of uncertain meaning), plus the Olde Norse 'by', a farm or settlement. The surname from this source is first recorded at the beginning of the 13th Century, (see below). The present day spellings Goldby and Goldsby first appear in late 16th Century London Church Registers. On September 11th 1575 Anne Goldby, an infant, was christened in St. Andrew's by the Wardrobe, London and on December 21 1701 Mary, daughter of William Goldsby was christened in St. Olave's, Southwark, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph de (of) Golkesby, which was dated 1202 - 'The Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire', during the reign of King John, 'Lackland', 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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