Wildgust

The name Wildgust is a surname whose origins can be traced from around the 1700s and to the town of Arnold in North Nottinghamshire, England.

Derivation

The name derives from the surnames Wildgoose/Goose, which although can be found in many parts of Britain itself, appear to be more prevalent in certain areas of Derbyshire.

Several amateur genaeologists have so far agreed that there were two people responsible for the name change. These people were: George Wildgoose (1749–1832) and William Goose (????- 1803). George was a son of another George Wildgoose (no.2), who in turn was the son of another George Wildgoose (no.1).

George (no.1) lived in Hucknall (Torkard) Notts (The record of his birth and death have yet to be confirmed). He married Mary Machen of Blidworth, Notts on August 17, 1717. They had four children, one of which was George (no.2)(1719–1800). This George married Ann Smith of Arnold on 31st of July 1748. This couple produced six offspring, two of which were males. John Wildgoose (born 1757) grew up and continued to live in the Hucknall/Bulwell area of Notts and had many children. His descendents eventually spread as far afield as Beeston in the south of Notts.

George (no.3) (1749) eventually moved to Arnold. The reason for his move has yet to be ascertained; however, his Grandparents on the Smith side of the family lived there, so that could be the reason.

Georges' first appearance among the Parish Records for Arnold (St. Mary's), can be found on the May 1775 Marriage Record of Joseph Lee and Jane Baggerley, where he signs in his own hand that he is a witness to the event, and spells his name Wildgoost. On the same page as this marriage record, but one month previous, there is another marriage record. This belongs to a Henry Holmes and his wife who signs her own name Sarah Wildgoost. Sarah was the daughter of the other person in Arnold believed to be behind the name change : William Goose.

The first mention of William Goose and his wife Mary, that has so far been found, is in the Parish Records (St.Mary's). It is on the record for the baptism of Sarah in 1751. The mis-spellings of the surname can be attributed to the discretion of the loacal vicar. In a Land Tax Register for 1780, Williams surname is Wildgust - the earliest known version of this spelling of the name. William keeps this version of the name in a rent book belonging to the landowners: Coape Sherbrooke during the 1780-1790 period. He was living on the North Side of Bond Street in Arnold at the time. Finally, William, Mary, and Sarah are seen to be calling themselves Wildgust in various documents relating to Williams last Will and Testament in 1803.

Going back to the story of George (no.3), a marriage record of 1781 shows that he has signed his surname Wildgoost in spite of the vicar initially spelling it Wildgoose further back in the record. Georges marriage was to Ann Wakefield who as with William Wildgust, lived on Bond Street, which incidentally still exists today. As the baptisms of George and Anns' many children begin to appear in the Arnold Parish records, their surnames are spelt Wildgoust. Then a couple are Goose. The last four children bear the name Wildgust. Later records show that all the children become Wildgusts. News of this surname must have found its way to Bulwell, because George(no.2)is called Wildgust on his burial record,and John (the brother of George no.3), calls himself and his offspring Wildgust.

The reason for the change of the surname has not as yet been certified. It could have been through personal choice, local dialect or the mis-interpretation of the writer. The personal choice could have been an attempt to be disassociated with various political/religious issues regarding the term Wild Goose. The name Wildgust continues to thrive in Arnold and the surrounding areas, but can now also be found in various pockets around Britain and due to emigrations,in North America and Canada.

This is a link to A Gaggle of Geese website, where you can find more info. 1