Tricks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The more common variants of this family, Trigg, Triggs and Trickey are all patronymic as in "the son of Trig." 1 The name tends to be from Northern England, but has spread throughout England. It is thought the name originated with the Norwegian Trygg, or the Old Norse Tryggui, meaning "true, trusty." 2

"Tryggui was, of course, the father of King Olaf Trygguason (Oláfr konungr Trygguason) of the sagas. The form in our 13th- 14th cent. records was Trig and Tryg. " 3

We do know that Tryggui was a Viking chieftain who sailed "west across the sea" to establish Norse settlements in England and Ireland.

Early Origins of the Tricks family

The surname Tricks was first found in Yorkshire where the mononym Trig was a Knights Templar in 1185. A few years later, William Trig was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1202. Later, Ralph Trigge was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332. 4

By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the family had spread throughout ancient England: Robert Trig, Cambridgeshire; William Triggs, Cambridgeshire; and Alan Trig, Lincolnshire. 1

In Somerset, a search through early rolls revealed William Tryg, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 5 In Yorkshire, Johannes Tryg was recorded in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

In Devon, the first record of the Trickey variant was found in 1238. 4

Early History of the Tricks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tricks research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1547, 1549, 1589, 1597, 1606, 1657, 1685 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Tricks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tricks Spelling Variations

Tricks has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Tricks have been found, including Trigg, Trig, Trygg, Trygge, Tryg, Trick, Trigge, Trick and many more.

Early Notables of the Tricks family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tricks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tricks family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Trickss to arrive on North American shores: Samuell and Ellianor Trigg, who arrived in Virginia in 1639; Paul Trigg, who came to Virginia in 1654; Thomas Trigg, who was on record in Barbados in 1634.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.