Show ContentsBigglan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bigglan comes from the family having resided in an estate called Bigland, in the parish of Cartmell, North Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Bigglan family

The surname Bigglan was first found in Lancashire, where they were a very ancient family seated at Bigland Hall "from the time of the Conquest." 1

Now known as Biglands, with Gamblesby, this township, is in the parish of Aikton, union of Wigton, Cumberland ward, and E. division of Cumberland. 2 Bigland Hall survives today as a country house with the latest rendition built in the 16th century.

Early History of the Bigglan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bigglan research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1485, 1509, 1559, 1620, 1647, 1650, 1672, 1689, 1690, 1704 and 1716 are included under the topic Early Bigglan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bigglan Spelling Variations

Bigglan 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. Spelling variants included: Bigland, Biglin, Biglen, Biglon, Biglande, Byglande and many more.

Early Notables of the Bigglan family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bigglan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bigglan 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 Bigglans to arrive on North American shores: Patrick Bigland, who arrived in New York in 1824.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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