Rigmaidant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Rigmaidant surname lived in the county of Lancashire, where they held a family seat at Wedacre. The surname Rigmaidant refers to the dweller by the ridge, in this case the reference is to the female bearer of the name.

Early Origins of the Rigmaidant family

The surname Rigmaidant was first found in Lancashire and Lincolnshire where two gentry families bore the name Rigmaiden. "I can give not better etymology for the name than 'a romping girl.' " 1 Nether Wyersdale in Lancashire was an ancient family seat. "Wyersdale was part of the possessions of the Lancasters: in the reign of Philip and Mary, John Rigmayden held the manor; and in 1605 it was held by the Gerards, of Bromley." 2

Early History of the Rigmaidant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rigmaidant research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rigmaidant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rigmaidant Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Rigmaidant are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Rigmaidant include: Rigmaiden, Regmaiden, Rigmaden and others.

Early Notables of the Rigmaidant family

More information is included under the topic Early Rigmaidant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rigmaidant family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Rigmaidant or a variant listed above: William Rigmaiden who settled in Pennsylvania in 1761.

Citations +

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