Goins
An uncommon surname that may reflect a French saint’s name, a French family name, or an older Germanic name tradition.
The #1,574 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 13,520 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname is likely tied to French forms such as Goin or Goint. One line of explanation connects it with the name of Saint Gaudentius, from Latin gaudens, meaning “rejoicing” or “one who rejoices.” Another possibility is that it developed as a shortened or regional form related to other French surnames such as Gouin or Coint, while some older scholarship also linked it to early Germanic naming traditions.
History
The name appears in historical French onomastic discussions, especially in southern French forms. In the United States, Goins is now much more common than the singular French-looking forms, which suggests later Anglicization and spelling variation over time. The exact pathway into English-speaking usage is not certain.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older reference works sometimes tied this family of names to Saint Gaudentius, whose Latin name literally means “rejoicing.”
From the historical record
“Goin, Goint. 1'^ F. méridionale du nom de saint Goins, eu latin Gaudentius (qui se réjouit) ; 2" f de Gouin ou de Coint ; 3° Fôrsteraanu classe Goin parmi les vieux noms germ. à la date de 734.”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)