Golden — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Jewish/German origin Rank #699 in the US 49,360 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#699
▼ Down 51 since 2000
People in the US
49,360
16.73 per 100K people
Origin
Jewish/German
Yiddish/German

Origin & Meaning of the Golden Surname

What does the last name Golden mean?

The surname Golden carries the meaning "Gold." It is derived from the Yiddish/German language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 49,360 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Golden ranks as the #699 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Golden come from?

The Golden surname has its roots in Jewish/German heritage. Names of Jewish/German origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Golden name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Golden trace back to Yiddish/German. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Jewish/German Yiddish/German

Quick Facts

Surname Golden
Meaning Gold
Origin Jewish/German
Language Yiddish/German
US Rank (2010) #699
US Count (2010) 49,360
Per 100K People 16.73
First Letter G

Ethnic Distribution of Golden

According to the US Census, the Golden surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 49,360 Americans with the Golden last name.

White 74.7%
Black 19.85%
Hispanic 2.28%
Asian/PI 0.54%
Native American 0.61%
Two+ Races 2.02%
Ethnic distribution of the Golden surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White74.7%
Black19.85%
Hispanic2.28%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.54%
Native American0.61%
Two or More Races2.02%

Popularity of Golden Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Golden surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#648
47,839 people
Down 51
Census 2010
#699
49,360 people

The number of Americans with the Golden surname increased by 1,521 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Golden Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Golden ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Golden

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Golden.

Other Jewish/German Surnames

Explore more surnames with Jewish/German roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Jewish/German origin as Golden.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golden

The surname Golden is of Jewish/German origin. Gold
The surname Golden is ranked #699 in the United States with approximately 49,360 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Gold. The name has Jewish/German roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Golden surname is distributed as: 74.7% White, 19.9% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Golden ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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