Giggs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Giggs

What does the name Giggs mean?

The name Giggs derives its origin from the Middle English word "gigge," which was a nickname for ‘a flighty, giddy girl.’ 1

Early Origins of the Giggs family

The surname Giggs was first found in Norfolk, England where William Gigan was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1198. This person may be related to Robert and William Gigan or Gigon, who were listed in Normandy in the same year according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 2 Thomas Geg was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk in 1205. Early records in Huntingdonshire show Walter le Geg in 1221 and later William Gegge was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1263. Alice la Gegges was found at Colchester in 1310. 1

Hugo Gigge was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Suffolk in 1220 1 and later again, Walter le Gig was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Norfolk c. 1272. 2

Early History of the Giggs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Giggs research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1455, 1487, 1500, 1508, 1530, 1570 and 1572 are included under the topic Early Giggs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giggs Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Giggs include Gedge, Gidge, Gigg, Gegg, Ginge, Genge and others.

Early Notables of the Giggs family

Margaret Giggs (1508-1570), birth name of Margaret Clement or Clements, understood to be one of the most educated women of the Tudor era...

Migration of the Giggs family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Giggs or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands. Many settled in Newfoundland..

Contemporary Notables of the name Giggs (post 1700) +

Rebecca Giggs, Australian nonfiction writer
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE (b. 1973), born Ryan Joseph Wilson, a Welsh former footballer and current coach of the Wales National Team (2018); as a teenager he changed his name to his mother's surname. He was named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)