An English surname, Gouldsmith comes from the Old English terms of ‘gold’ and ‘smitan’ which refers to a person who works with gold, one who uses a hammer to strike the gold into shape. Spelling variations for Gouldsmith include Goldschmidt, Goldsmyth, Goldsmith, Goldesmethe and Goldsmiz. In England the early Gouldsmiths lived in Norfolk and Essex counties. In Scotland the primarily location for those with the Gouldsmith name is Roxburgh and Dumbarton. Within the United States the early Gouldsmith families settled in Virginia and Maryland. Later others lived in South Carolina. Famous: Welland Gouldsmith (an educational school in India started by Welland).