Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a fool, an idiot.

1836		T. Haliburton Clockmaker I 244: There’s a proper goney for you, for to go and raise such a buildin as that are.
1856		B.H. Hall College Words (rev. edn) 229: gonus. A stupid fellow [...] The word goney, with the same meaning, is often used.
1860		T. Haliburton Season Ticket 301: ‘Is that all, you goney?’ says she, ‘it’s lucky your precious neck ain’t broke.’.
1873		J. Mair Hbk of Phrases 105: Goney [...] a stupid fellow.
1915		M.G. Hayden ‘Terms Of Disparagement’ in DN IV:iii 202: goney [...] a simpleton. ‘That ar’ sheriff was a goney’ (Thorn.).

2. (UK Und.) by ext. of sense 1, a newly arrived prisoner, esp. one who is not of the criminal underworld.

1857

in Punch ‘Dear Bill, This Stone-Jug’ 31 Jan. n.p.: But the lark’s when a goney up with us they shut / As ain’t up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut.