This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Goethe family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Goethe Family History

Goethe Surname Meaning

German (also Göthe): from a short form of the personal name Godo formed with the ancient Germanic element god got ‘god’.

South German (also Göthe): relationship name or nickname from Middle High German göte ‘godfather’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Goethe family from?

You can see how Goethe families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Goethe family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Goethe families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 5 Goethe families living in Manitoba. This was about 50% of all the recorded Goethe's in Canada. Manitoba had the highest population of Goethe families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Goethe surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Goethe ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Goethe. 35% of Goethe men worked as a Farmer and 23% of Goethe women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Goethe were Owner and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Goethe | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    35%
  • Laborer
    27%
  • Carpenter
    5%
  • Owner
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    23%
  • Waitress
    17%
  • Bookkeeper
    17%
  • Housekeeper
    12%

What Goethe family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Goethe. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Goethe census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Goethe

Passenger Lists

There are 633 immigration records available for the last name Goethe. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Goethe immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Goethe. For the veterans among your Goethe ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Goethe military records

You've only scratched the surface of Goethe family history

Discover More

What is the average Goethe lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Goethe life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1966. The average life expectancy for Goethe in 1954 was 29, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Goethe

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Goethe ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Goethe family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial