Show ContentsWrigglesworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wrigglesworth family

The surname Wrigglesworth 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 Wrigglesworth family

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

Wrigglesworth 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 Wrigglesworth 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 Wrigglesworth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Wrigglesworth family to Ireland

Some of the Wrigglesworth 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.


United States Wrigglesworth migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wrigglesworth Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry Wrigglesworth, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Knottingley, England, in 1909
  • Olive Wrigglesworth, aged 0, who settled in America from Knottingley, England, in 1909
  • Ethel Wrigglesworth, aged 24, who immigrated to America from Harrowgate, England, in 1911
  • Jane Elizabeth Wrigglesworth, aged 38, who landed in America from Hull, England, in 1915
  • Florence Wrigglesworth, aged 20, who landed in America from Croydon, England, in 1919
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Wrigglesworth migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wrigglesworth Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Fred Wrigglesworth, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Wrigglesworth migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Wrigglesworth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Wrigglesworth, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Angelina" on April 25, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [4]
  • William Wrigglesworth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Duke Of Bronte" in 1849 [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Wrigglesworth (post 1700) +

  • Tom Wrigglesworth, English stand-up comedian from Yorkshire
  • Sir Ian William Wrigglesworth (b. 1939), English politician, Treasurer of the Liberal Democrats
  • William Herbert "Billy" Wrigglesworth (1912-1980), English footballer
  • Susan Wrigglesworth (1954-1996), British fencer who competed at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics
  • Benjamin Wrigglesworth Beatson (1803-1874), English classical scholar, educated first at Merchant Taylors' School, and afterwards at Pembroke College, Cambridge


  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. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Angelina voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1844 with 171 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/angelina/1844
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The DUKE OF BRONTE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849DukeOfBronte.htm


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