Show ContentsBiggarton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Biggarton

What does the name Biggarton mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Biggarton comes from the family having resided in one of several places named Bickerton. Bickerton is the name of various townships including the parish of Malpas in Cheshire 1 in the parish of Rothburg in Northumberland, 1 and in the parish of Bilton, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 2

The toponym Bickerton is derived from the Old English beocere, which means bee-keeper, and tun, which originally denoted a fence or enclosure. 3 However this came to mean enclosure round a house, homestead, village or town at an early date. Thus the name can be understood to mean village of the bee-keeper.

Early Origins of the Biggarton family

The surname Biggarton was first found in Yorkshire where Adam de Bikerton was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1191. Almost a century later, William de Bykerton was similarly listed in Yorkshire in 1287. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only entry for the family, that of Thomas de Bigerton, Yorkshire, while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Johannes de Bykerton; and Willelmus de Bikerton. 2

The source Wills at Chester included the following: Edmund Bickerton, of Sound, Cheshire, 1617; and Humphrey Bickerton, of Wrenbury, 1594. 2

Some of the Northumberland branch of the family moved north in Scotland, but "there is another Bickerton in the West Riding of Yorkshire. About the year 1200 Richard of Bickirtoune had a grant of lands in Dunypace, and in 1263 Sir Richard of Bigirthon witnessed an agreement anent pasturage of the moor of Kellin. Master Eustace of Bikerton was presented to the church of Duglas, Lanarkshire, in 1292, and in 1296, as Eustace de Bykretone, rector of the church of Hutremokedi (Auchtermuchty), he rendered homage. John de Bigerton held the castle of Luffenoc' in 1296, and a payment to Elisabet de Bikertoun by the custumars of Inverkeithing is recorded in 1331." 5

Early History of the Biggarton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biggarton research. Another 273 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1296, 1401, 1429, 1451, 1456, 1464, 1479, 1525, 1526, 1530, 1533, 1549, 1574, 1590, 1601, 1602, 1641, 1643, 1647, 1688, 1693, 1727, 1739, 1741, 1758, 1759, 1771, 1774, 1777, 1778, 1792 and 1832 are included under the topic Early Biggarton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biggarton Spelling Variations

Biggarton has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Bickerton, Bickertown, Beckertoun, Bikerton, Bikarton and many more.

Early Notables of the Biggarton family

Distinguished members of the family include Jane Howard, Duchess of Norfolk (née Bickerton) (1643-1693), the second wife of Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk. She was daughter of Robert Bickerton, Gentleman of the Wine Cellar to King Charles II.Sir Richard Bickerton (1727-1792), Vice-Admiral, son of a Captain in the 4th dragoon guards, entered the Navy in 1739, on the outbreak of the war with Spain. In the following year he was appointed to the Suffolk, of 70 guns, with Captain Davers, and sailed in her to the West Indies, to form part of the expedition against Cartagena in the spring of...
Another 144 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biggarton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biggarton family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Biggartons to arrive on North American shores: Joan Bickerton who settled in Barbados in 1675; George Bickerton settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; John in Philadelphia in 1773; Thomas settled in New England in 1753..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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