Show ContentsRiggles Surname History

Early Origins of the Riggles family

The surname Riggles was first found in North Yorkshire at Wigglesworth, a township, in the parish of Long Preston, union of Settle, wapentake of Staincliffe. 1 The place dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Winchelesuuorde 2 and was held by Roger le Poitevin, a Norman Baron. Literally the place name means "enclosure of a man called Wincel," from the Old English personal name + "worth." 3 The progenitor of the American family is thought to have been Edward Wigglesworth, born 1603 in Scotton, Lincolnshire, father of Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705), the Puritan minister and poet. The family moved to New England in 1638 when Michael was 7 years old.

Early History of the Riggles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Riggles research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1631, 1638, 1693, 1705 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Riggles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riggles Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wrigglesworth, Wriglesworth, Wigglesworth, Rigglesworth, Wrikesworth, Ricksworth, Riglesworth, Rigglesford, Wrigglesforth, Rigglesforth, Wrigglesford, Wigglesworth and many more.

Early Notables of the Riggles family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705), author of religious poetry, born in Yorkshire, England; he emigrated to America in 1638, best known for his poem "The Day of...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Riggles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Riggles family to Ireland

Some of the Riggles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Riggles family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Hugh Wiggleworth, who came to south Carolina between the years 1670 and 1675; Peter Rigglesworth, who arrived in Virginia in 1637; Michael Wigglesworth, who is on record in New England in 1651.


Contemporary Notables of the name Riggles (post 1700) +

  • John R. Riggles, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Maryland 5th District, 1920 4


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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