Show ContentsFiggis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Figgis family

The surname Figgis was first found in Cambridgeshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Figgis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Figgis research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1102, 1139, 1234, 1273, 1391, 1429, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1533, 1600, 1645, 1660, 1695, 1719, 1730, 1734 and 1992 are included under the topic Early Figgis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Figgis Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Figgis has undergone many spelling variations, including Figg, Figgiss, Figgess, Figgins, Figgin, Figges, Figgess, Figgs, Fig, Fyge, Fygg, Fygge, Ficke, Feek and many more.

Early Notables of the Figgis family

Distinguished members of the family include James Figg (1695-1734), English bare-knuckle boxer, generally agreed first English bare-knuckle boxing champion, reigning from 1719 to 1730 or 1734...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Figgis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Figgis migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Figgis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • W Figgis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Mandarin
  • William Figgis, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
  • Fred W. Figgis, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dunedin" in 1875 1


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 9th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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