Pijuan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Pijuan arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Pijuan comes from the ancient and forgotten given name Prujean. Alternatively, the name could have been a nickname derived from the Middle English word "pygeon" as "bird-names are among the most common of the nickname class of surnames. 1

Interestingly, the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae of 1180-1195 lists John Pichon, Normandy 1180-1195. This could point to either another origin or that the name was in fact originally a Norman name. 2

Early Origins of the Pijuan family

The surname Pijuan was first found in various counties and shires throughout ancient Britain. Alan Pigun was the first record of the family and he was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Norfolk in 1200 and the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1202. Ralf Pyjun was listed in the Assise Rolls of Somerset in 1268. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list William Pigun in Norfolk and Richard Pigun in Cambridgeshire. 4

The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex list a wide range of phonetic variants: "Relicta Pygon, 1296; Relicta Pijohan, John Petijohan, John Pyion, John Pyion, Jopn Petiion and Thomas Pyion 1327. " 3

Early History of the Pijuan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pijuan research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1593 and 1666 are included under the topic Early Pijuan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pijuan Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Pigeon, Pidgeon and others.

Early Notables of the Pijuan family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pijuan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pijuan family to Ireland

Some of the Pijuan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pijuan family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Pijuan or a variant listed above: John and Mary Pidgeon settled in Virginia in 1728; Peter and John Pidgeon settled in Philadelphia in 1806; Joe Pigeon settled in Virginia in 1635.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)