Show ContentsBigeau History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Bigeau is thought to be of Norman origins. Originally, Bigeau was a name given to a Norman or an excessively religious person. Normans were referred to as Bigots by the French, although the meaning of the word is unknown. After the 15th century, a nickname adapted from the phrase by God took on the form Bigot. There is some suggestion that the name in Normandy had been Wigot, and there was a line descended from Wigot de St.Denis, a great nobleman of Normandy, who made grants to Cerisy Abbey in 1042, and in 1050 subscribed a charter of Duke William at the head of the Norman barons. [1]

Early Origins of the Bigeau family

The surname Bigeau was first found in Essex at Dunmow and Finchingfield, where they were granted lands by King William after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Roger Bigod is also listed in Domesday Book; he was a Sheriff, with large land holdings in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Marston-Biggott in Somerset was an ancient family seat. "This place derives the affix to its name from the Bigott family, to whom the manor for several centuries belonged, and the site of whose ancient mansion is still marked by the moat." [2]

"Earl Roger, "noted for his singular skill in all warlike exercises," was one of the most accomplished knights of his day; and had few equals either in the tilt-yard or the field. His domain contained one hundred and sixty-two knight's fees: and he stands forth in history as the true type of the great feudal Seigneur, haughty in bearing and fearless of tongue, whose power in the realm might challenge-if it did not threaten-the authority of the King himself. His name is brought prominently before us in all the transactions of Henry III.'s reign." [1]

Early History of the Bigeau family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bigeau research. Another 284 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1095, 1096, 1107, 1144, 1150, 1166, 1177, 1182, 1209, 1214, 1220, 1221, 1225, 1227, 1245, 1266, 1270, 1298, 1306, 1508, 1515, 1522 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Bigeau History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bigeau Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bigeau have been found, including Bigot, Bigode, Bygod, Begod, Bigod, Wigot, Bidgood and many more.

Early Notables of the Bigeau family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Roger le Bigod (1150-1220), son of Hugh Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk, who was recorded on the Falkirk Roll. This roll was a list of those at the Battle of Falkirk (July 22 1298), when the forces of Edward I defeated a Scottish army under William Wallace.Sir Francis...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bigeau Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bigeau family to Ireland

Some of the Bigeau 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.


United States Bigeau migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bigeau were among those contributors:

Bigeau Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Bigeau, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1763 [3]
  • Jean Baptiste Bigeau, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 [3]
  • Margueritte Bigeau, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1763 [3]
  • Paul Bigeau, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 [3]


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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