Bidgood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bidgood were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Bidgood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Richard Bidgood, (John Osgood), from Hampshire, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated. 4

Bidgood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Bidgood, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 4

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bidgood Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Benjamin Bidgood was a juror in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1751 5
• Philip Bidgood owned a fishery in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland in 1765 5

Bidgood Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Joseph Bidgood, who settled in Fortune, Newfoundland in 1853 5

Bidgood Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Bidgood, (b. 1815), aged 19, English baker who was convicted in Plymouth, Devon, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 27 September 1834, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Henry Cook Bidgood, aged 43, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" 7
• Henry C. Bidgood, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" in 1849 7

• James Bidgood (1933-2022), American filmmaker, photographer and artist who lived and worked in New York City
• Ruth Bidgood (1922-2022), née Jones, a Welsh poet and local historian who wrote in English
• Henry "Harry" Bidgood (1898-1957), English composer, dance band leader and musical director the films I'll Turn to You (1946), To Hell with Hitler (1940) and Bell-Bottom George (1944), son of Thomas Bidgood
• Thomas Bidgood (1858-1925), English conductor, composer and arranger, perhaps best known for his march Sons of the Brave, written in 1898, popular during the Boer Wars and later used in the film A Canterbury Tale (1944)
• Jack Bidgood (1902-1975), Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in 1925
• James Mark Bidgood (b. 1959), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Dawson (2007-2010)
• John Claude Bidgood (1914-2001), British Conservative Party politician, Member of Parliament for Bury and Radcliffe (1955-1964)