Goslin

Goslin is a British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Goscelin." Variants of the name include Gosling, Goslyn, and Goslen. The surname is primarily found in England.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Goslin is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone thought to resemble a gosling, which is a young goose. In medieval times, personal names based on animals were quite common.

Distribution and Prominence

The distribution of the surname Goslin is most significant in the southern regions of England, such as Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire. Over the centuries, the name has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable Bearers

  • Duncan Goslin: A British author known for his works on wildlife conservation.
  • Emily Goslin: A renowned British artist specialising in landscape paintings.

Variants

Variants of the surname Goslin include:

  • Gosling
  • Goslyn
  • Goslen

References

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 148 people named Goslin in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Goslin.

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

  • Clive
  • Edward
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Richard
  • Stephen
  • Wayne

Female

  • Bernadette
  • Caron
  • Dorothy
  • Jane
  • Jennifer
  • June
  • Laura
  • Lisa
  • Melanie
  • Nicola
  • Rachel
  • Sophie
  • Valerie
  • Yvonne

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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