This interesting English surname originated as a nickname for someone with golden hair from the Old English pre seventh Century word "gylden", meaning golden (haired). In some instances the name may be a variant of "Gold", which is a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked with gold, from the Old English and Old High German word "gold". The surname first appears in records in the early 12th Century (see below). Hilde Golden was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1279. One Willelmus Goldyng was mentioned in the Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire in 1379. Agnes Goldynge and Elnor Goldyg were christened at St. Margarets, Westminster London on September 9th 1550 and January 7th 1560, respectively. One Alyce, daughter of Ralpe Goldynge was christened at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London on March 21st 1562, while Amelia daughter of John Goulden was christened at St. Luke, Old Street, in London on August 9th 1818. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Guldene, le Gelden, which was dated 1212, in the "Curia Rolls of Hampshire", during the reign of King John, known as "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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