Biggerforde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Biggerforde comes from when the family resided in Bickford, which was the name of several places in England. The surname Biggerforde is derived from the Old English words becca, which refers to a type of ax, and ford, which refers to a shallow place in a river.

Early Origins of the Biggerforde family

The surname Biggerforde was first found in Devon at Bickford Town in Plympton St. Mary parish or from Beckford Farm in Membury. 1

"The manor of Carburrow, [in the parish of Warleggon. Cornwall] and the barton of Trevedoc, have been for a considerable time in the family of their present proprietor Arscott Bickford, Esq. of Dunsland in Devonshire. The old mansion still remains; but it is no longer the abode of grandeur." 2

Some sources note that the family could have originated in Beckford, Gloucestershire. This parish, in the union of Winchcomb, partly in the hundred of Tibaldstone dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Beccanford in 803. 3 By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish was known as Beceford. 4

In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, there was a strong presence of the family in Gloucestershire where (Prior) de Bekeford; Adam de Beckeford; and Henry de Beckeford were listed at that time. Alex, de Bikeford was listed in Staffordshire in the same rolls. 5 Of the latter, the village of Bickford in Staffordshire survives today.

Early History of the Biggerforde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biggerforde research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1709, 1774 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Biggerforde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biggerforde Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Biggerforde has been recorded under many different variations, including Bickford, Bickerford and others.

Early Notables of the Biggerforde family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biggerforde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biggerforde family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Biggerforde or a variant listed above: Stephen Bickford who settled in Warren, Maine, in the year of 1640; and other members of the family settled in New Hampshire at Henniker, Sabornton, and Nottingham..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)