Bygem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Bygem name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Bikome, a town in the county of Somerset.

Early Origins of the Bygem family

The surname Bygem was first found in Somerset where Kirby's Quest listed the first two entries for the name: Walter de Bikome, Somerset, 1 Edward III and Godfrey de Bycorobe, Somerset, 1 Edward III. [1] In both cases, these poeple lived "1 Edward III," or in other words "during the first year of King Edward III's reign."

Early History of the Bygem family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bygem research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1769, 1743, 1758, 1747 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Bygem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bygem Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bygem were recorded, including Bickham, Bickam, Bigham, Biggam, Bigholme, Bighone, Begholm, Beghome, Biggem and many more.

Early Notables of the Bygem family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: George Bickham the Elder (d. 1769), writing-master and engraver, born about the end of the seventeenth century. "He was the most celebrated penman of his time, and published in 1743 a folio volume entitled 'The Universal Penman . . . exemplified in all the...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bygem Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bygem family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bygem family emigrate to North America: Richard Bickham who settled in Barbados in 1685; George Bickham settled in Philadelphia in 1830; Margaret Biggam settled in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1767.

Citations +

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.