Biddegoode History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Biddegoode is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the Old English name Biggegod. The name is made up of two Old English elements: bigge, which means big or large, and god, which means good. "The Anglo-Saxon guth-boda would mean "a war messenger." The Old Norse bodi is a messenger, and gunn, gunnur, gud, Old High German, gund, gunt, war." [1]

Early Origins of the Biddegoode family

The surname Biddegoode was first found in Somerset, where the earliest form of the name is Biggegod. [2]

Kirby's Quest listed John Biggegod, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [3]

Early History of the Biddegoode family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddegoode research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1349, 1369, 1524, 1606, 1621, 1642, 1798, 1624, 1690, 1624, 1641, 1640 and 1642 are included under the topic Early Biddegoode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddegoode Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Biddegoode have been found, including Bidgood, Bidgoode, Biddgood, Biggegod, Bydgood and many more.

Early Notables of the Biddegoode family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include John Bidgood (1624-1690), a leading member of the College of Physicians. He was the son of Humphrey Bidgood, an apothecary of Exeter, was born in that city 13 March 1624. "His father was poisoned in 1641 by his servant, Peter Moore, a crime for...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biddegoode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biddegoode family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Biddegoode, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Richard Bidgood, who arrived in Boston in 1638.

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.