Biddgoold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the name Biddgoold date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived 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 Biddgoold family

The surname Biddgoold 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 Biddgoold family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddgoold 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 Biddgoold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddgoold Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Biddgoold include Bidgood, Bidgoode, Biddgood, Biggegod, Bydgood and many more.

Early Notables of the Biddgoold 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 Biddgoold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biddgoold family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Biddgoold or a variant listed above: 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.