Show ContentsTrygg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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 Trygg family

The surname Trygg 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 Trygg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trygg 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 Trygg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trygg Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Trygg have been found, including Trigg, Trig, Trygg, Trygge, Tryg, Trick, Trigge, Trick and many more.

Early Notables of the Trygg family

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

Migration of the Trygg family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Trygg, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : 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.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. 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.


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