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The ancestors of the name Bigerstath date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Bigerstath family lived in or near the village of Bickerstaffe, which was located near Ormskirk in the county of Lancashire. "In 1066 Bickerstaffe, under the name of Achetun, was one of the manors of Uctred, lord of Roby." 1
One of the first records of the family was Adam de Bickerstath whose son Ralph, held manor in 1212. "Adam de Bickerstath's name frequently appears in charters and other public acts of the time." 1 Adam de Bykerstaff was listed in Lancashire in 1289. 2 Alan de Birkestad de Bikerstath was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1246. 3
The surname Bigerstath was first found in Lancashire, at Bickerstaffe, a village and civil parish in the West Lancashire district. The village dates back to at least the 12th century when it was listed as Bikerstad and literally meant "landing place of the bee-keepers" from the Old English words bicere + staeth. 4
However, another reference claims the name came from the Old English word "bicker," meaning to skirmish or contend, as in bicker-staff, a weapon analogous to a quarter-staff. 5 This latter interpretation only occurs once through our research library and is mentioned here for reference purposes only as the former interpretation is more likely.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bigerstath research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1600, 1639, 1660, 1685, 1713, 1714, 1752 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bigerstath History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bigerstath 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 Bigerstath include: Bickerstaffe, Bickerstaff, Bickerstath, Bickerstathe, Bickersteth and many more.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bigerstath Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 147 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Bigerstath or a variant listed above: Sarah Bickerstaff who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682.