Goffe Coat of Arms Record & History

The surname Goffe has deep roots in the English landscape, particularly within the county of Devon where the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally believed to be a variation of the Middle English word "gof," which was a term used to describe someone who was considered foolish or simple, though it may have also functioned as a nickname for a person with a playful or lighthearted personality. During the 1600s, families bearing this name were often involved in local trade and agriculture, contributing to the development of rural communities in the West Country. As the family grew, members spread across the region, leaving behind records in parish registers and local tax rolls that document their daily lives and social standing. By 1620, the Goffe name was already a fixture in Devon, representing a lineage that had integrated itself into the fabric of English provincial society through generations of steady work and community involvement.