Fidgeon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Fidgeon

What does the name Fidgeon mean?

The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Fidgeon name is derived from the ancient and forgotten given name Prujean. Alternatively, the name could have been a nickname derived from the Middle English word "pygeon" as "bird-names are among the most common of the nickname class of surnames. 1

Interestingly, the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae of 1180-1195 lists John Pichon, Normandy 1180-1195. This could point to either another origin or that the name was in fact originally a Norman name. 2

Early Origins of the Fidgeon family

The surname Fidgeon was first found in various counties and shires throughout ancient Britain. Alan Pigun was the first record of the family and he was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Norfolk in 1200 and the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1202. Ralf Pyjun was listed in the Assise Rolls of Somerset in 1268. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list William Pigun in Norfolk and Richard Pigun in Cambridgeshire. 4

The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex list a wide range of phonetic variants: "Relicta Pygon, 1296; Relicta Pijohan, John Petijohan, John Pyion, John Pyion, Jopn Petiion and Thomas Pyion 1327. " 3

Early History of the Fidgeon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fidgeon research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1593 and 1666 are included under the topic Early Fidgeon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fidgeon Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Pigeon, Pidgeon and others.

Early Notables of the Fidgeon family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fidgeon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fidgeon family to Ireland

Some of the Fidgeon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fidgeon family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Fidgeon or a variant listed above: John and Mary Pidgeon settled in Virginia in 1728; Peter and John Pidgeon settled in Philadelphia in 1806; Joe Pigeon settled in Virginia in 1635.

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)