Goldin

Goldin is a surname and, less commonly, a toponym. In contemporary usage it is most often encountered as a family name among people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, though it has spread to other populations through migration and marriage. The name is typically linked to Germanic roots, from the word gold, or to a habitational or occupational origin referring to someone associated with gold or goldsmithing. The suffix -in is a common element in many Central and Eastern European surnames.

Goldin as a place name exists in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, and toponymic surnames were sometimes adopted by inhabitants of such locales when they moved elsewhere. Today the surname is found in the United States, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and other countries, reflecting historical migration patterns.

In addition to being a surname, Goldin appears in the names of organizations and businesses, such as Goldin Auctions, an American house that specializes in sports memorabilia and entertainment collectibles. The use of the name in corporate branding often traces back to individuals bearing the surname.

Because Goldin can refer to multiple people, places, and entities, it is treated as a surname with uncertain biography rather than a single historical figure. See also variants and related surnames such as Gold, Goldstein, and Gould.