1542 T. Elyot Scarus, a fyshe, which doth chewe lyke a beast, some men do suppose it to be a gylte head, or Goldenye.
1552 R. Huloet (at cited word) Gilt hed or goldney fishe which cheweth like a beast, aurata marina.
1584 T. Cogan clxxxiv. 146 Among which he [sc. Galen] reckoneth the Whiting, the Perch, the Giltheade or Goldnie.
1611 R. Cotgrave at Morme The ruddie, and spotted sea-Breame, or Golden-nie.
1634 P. Holland tr. Pliny (new ed.) I. xxxii. ii. 427 The Goldenie Scarus perceiuing himselfe to be taken in a weire, or enclosed within a wicker-net or leape, neuer striueth to get out again with the head forward.
1661 R. Lovell Isagoge sig. A6v Fishes, which are..saxatile, living neer stones, and are squammose; as the Golden eye.
1688 R. Holme ii. xiv. 332/1 A Rock Fish; of some termed, Golden Head or Goldeneye, or Gilt head.
1702 W. Jones tr. L. Cornaro 79 Among the Sea-fish I chuse Goldenis, and of the River-fish the Pike.
1799 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre (ed. 2) II. 220 Had he ever seen the hook for goldneys, he could not possibly have hesitated about preferring this similitude in the appearance.