BIGGS FAMILY HISTORY

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Biggs Family History - Page 1

I acquired a photocopy of this Family History from a typed copy which was made 1904.
No adjustments have been made to the text regarding spelling or punctuation.
Nor can I vouch for its accuracy.
Where there are Italics they are mine.

HISTORY OF THE BIGGS FAMILY

The name Biggs is possibly derived from Bygland in Norway, and the family may have originally been Norsemen who came over and raided England and then settled there, probably first in Kent. There is no doubt but that differences of spelling mean nothing except the fancy of the writer, as in old records the name of the same man is often spelt differently at each entry in the Register and so whether spelt Bygges, Bigge, Bigg or Biggs, they probably all came from the same family originally.

The earliest mention that can be found of the name is in Hasteds History of Kent. In this it is stated that Sherne Biga held Keston, Boiling, Harrielshan and Thurnham from Edward the Confessor. Also Wickham Breans Domesday states that Upper Garwinton (or Warwintone) was held by Alured Biga of King Edward, also "This manor Edric de Shern Biga hild and now Radulf holds it."

Algeric Bigg gave Bottesham, or Bodesham, to the Abbey of St. Augustine, the manor of Stowing to Christ Church Canterbury also in 1044, and the manor of Milton to the monks of Canterbury also in 1044. Halsteds' History of Canterbury says, date not given, that Radulf holds 11 mansions of the Bishop of Baieux' which were Shern Bigas in the time of Edward the Confessor. This is probably Rauf or Radulf de Byggas of melbourne in Derbyshire, date around 1250. From him there is a direct line to John Bygge who was Deacon of Lichfield in 1365. There is then a gap of nearly 100 years, when in 1444 a charter was granted to Thomas Bygge (or Bygges) of the Mastery of Leather workers, London. They sold their London property in 1472 after which they disappeared from London. They possibly went to Gloucestershire, where John Bygges (whose family names were Thomas and John) was granted armorial bearings in 1476. From him there is the direct line of the Worcestshire Biggs down to Sir Thomas Bigg or Bygges, Baronet, of Lenchwick, who died in 1621, the monuments of this family are in Norton Church near Evesham.

The Arms' granted to John Bygges of Standish, Sherborne, and Radford, in Co. Gloucestshire on the 19th May Anno 15 E.4 were Arms, "Argent, on a fess between 3 martlets sable as many annulets or" Crest: "A dexter arm embowed habited in leaves the hand grasping a serpent entwined round the arm guiles."

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