Vigre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Vigre reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Vigre family lived in Cornwall. Their name, however, is a reference to St. Vigore Des Montes, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Now known as Saint-Vigor, the Eure department is approximately 120 square miles.

Early Origins of the Vigre family

The surname Vigre was first found in Cornwall. They were originally from St. Vigore Des Montes in the arrondisement of St. Lo in the canton of Tessy, in Normandy. They were neighbors of the Traceys who also settled in the west country at Barnstaple in Devon.

Not all of the family left Normandy for England as Simon Vigor (c.1515-1575) from Evreux, Normandy was a French Catholic bishop and controversialist.

Early History of the Vigre family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vigre research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vigre History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vigre Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Vigre include Vigors, Viggars, Vigars, Viggors, Viggers, Vigures, Vigours and many more.

Early Notables of the Vigre family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vigre Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vigre family to Ireland

Some of the Vigre family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vigre family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Vigres to arrive on North American shores: James Vigures settled in New England in 1771; John, Lewis, George, and Robert Vigours sustained losses when St. Pierre surrendered to the French in 1763..

The Vigre Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spectemur agendo
Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.