Golightly

Golightly is an English surname of medieval origin, deriving from the Old English words "god" (good) and "lith" (to go or walk). The surname likely originally described a person who was a cheerful and lively individual, perhaps with a spring in their step.

The first recorded instance of the Golightly surname dates back to the 13th century, in the county of Yorkshire, England. Over the centuries, the surname has spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, particularly to countries with historical ties to the British Empire.

Individuals bearing the Golightly surname have made various contributions to British history and culture. Notably, the surname has been associated with literary figures and characters, such as Holly Golightly, the iconic protagonist of Truman Capote's novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Today, the Golightly surname continues to be found among diverse populations, both in the United Kingdom and in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name retains its historic connotations of cheerfulness and vitality, serving as a reminder of its medieval origins.

There are approximately 1,143 people named Golightly in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,661st most common surname in Britain. Around 18 in a million people in Britain are named Golightly.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Michael
  • Neil
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Sean
  • Stuart
  • William

Female

  • Carol
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Frances
  • Jennifer
  • Joan
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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