Surname Biggs - Meaning and Origin

The Emotional Voyage with iGENEA: Transforming my Perception of Heritage and the Surname Biggs

Taking a DNA test with iGENEA became an emotional journey that profoundly impacted my understanding of my genetic heritage, identity, and the importance of my family name - Biggs. It was more than tracing biological lineage; it was about cementing a sense of belonging and gaining an intuitive understanding of my family humanity.

R. Biggs

Biggs: What does the surname Biggs mean?

The surname Biggs is of Old English origin, deriving from the term "bigge", which means strong or powerful. It was typically given as a nickname to someone who was large or robust, or had a notable physical strength or Bigness. Over time, this nickname evolved into a surname. As such, the name Biggs essentially means "son of or descendant of a strong or stout person". It is also considered a topographical surname, given to those who dwelled by a notable landmark or geographic feature. Although it originated in England, Biggs is now found in many Western countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. Like many surnames, the specific meaning can vary based on geography and individual family histories.

Biggs: Where does the name Biggs come from?

The surname Biggs is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Bicga", a pet form of any of the various compound names with the first element "beag" meaning "ring", and may have been a nickname for a large or strong person.

It is often found with variations such as Bigg, Bigge, and Big. The surname spread across England and into Scotland and Wales over the centuries. Today, the name is still prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions where it first originated like Kent.

In mid-17th century, migration to North America led to an increase in the number of Biggs bearers in the United States, especially in the South and Midwest. Today, it is still commonly found there as well as in Australia and New Zealand, due to further migration waves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Therefore, while the Biggs surname has its roots in England, its modern distribution is global owing to historical migration patterns.

Variations of the surname Biggs

The surname Biggs is of English origin and it generally denotes someone who was robust, tall, or large in size. Variations of this surname can happen due to an evolvement over time, changes in language, or geographical factors. Some of the common variants that exist for the surname Biggs include Bigg, Big, Bigge, Bigger, Biggar, Bigggs, and Bigges.

These variations may depend on whether the person who recorded the document the name was found on was well-versed in spelling, as spelling rules were not standardized until the last few centuries. Therefore, it's common to see names with several spelling variations especially in older documents.

In rare cases, a similar-sounding name such as Bix or Becks could be mistaken as Biggs due to pronunciation or accent differences. Surnames from the same origin would mean that they'd have similar meanings or represent similar occupations or descriptors. These could include names like Large, Biggerstaff, or Long.

However, it's important to remember that surname origins can be exceptionally complex and diverse, with many names adopted, changed, or anglicized over centuries. Therefore, only genealogical research can accurately determine specific connections.

Famous people with the name Biggs

• Jason Biggs: An American actor and comedian known for his roles in 'American Pie' series and 'Orange Is The New Black'.
• Casey Biggs: An American actor, best known for his role as Cardassian Damar on the television series 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.
• Ronnie Biggs: A British criminal who was a part of the notorious Great Train Robbery in 1963.
• Jordan Biggs: A famous American football player.
• E. Power Biggs: A British-born American concert organist, known for his revivals of Baroque music on the concert organ.
• John Biggs: An American politician and a member of the Arizona Senate representing District 22.
• Walter Biggs: An American illustrator and artist.
• Shey Biggs: A renowned American Country singer.
• Stanley Biggs: An English cricketer.
• Justin Biggs: Knox County Schools Board of Education member.
• Jayce Biggs: A famous music producer and audio engineer.
• Doug Biggs: A former professional footballer.
• George Biggs: An American retired soccer player.
• Barrie Biggs: An Australian landscape and still life artist.
• David Biggs: An Australian retired state level cricketer. Please note that some of these individuals may not be as famous as others, but they have still made significant contributions in their respective fields.

Other surnames

BiggBiggaloughBiggamBigganeBiggarBiggeBiggerBiggersBiggerstaffBiggesBigginBigginsBiggy