Mc Kigough History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of Mc KigoughWhat does the name Mc Kigough mean? While surnames were well-known during the English medieval period, Cornish People originally used only a single name. The way in which hereditary surnames came into common use is interesting. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Patronymic surnames were derived from given names and were the predominant type of surname among the Celtic peoples of Britain. However, the people of Cornwall provide a surprising exception to this rule, and patronymic surnames are less common among them than other people of Celtic stock, such as their Welsh neighbors. This type of surname blended perfectly with the prevailing Feudal System. One feature that is occasionally found in Cornish surnames of this type is the suffix -oe or -ow; this is derived from the Cornish plural suffix -ow. is a patronymic surname that came from the personal name James, which itself is a version of the ancient name Jacob, which means supplanter. Early Origins of the Mc Kigough familyThe surname Mc Kigough was first found in Cornwall, where there is some debate of the name's origins. One reference lists that the name was "from the Spanish Iago, which must have crossed over into Cornwall at some early period." 1 While another states "whether it derives from the Celtic-British Iago, and signifies James or from gago or jago, a spear and pledges for battle; however, the name was of ancient use in Britain; for Galfridus Monmuthensis tells us of a king named Jago, before Julius Caesar landed in Britain, that reigned twenty-five years, and is buried at York." 2 The parish of St. Erme in Cornwall was an early home for the family. "The barton of Innis or Ennis, was at an early period possessed by the Opies, who held it so late as the days of James I. during which period it was sold by them to an ancestor of Samuel Jago, Esq." 3 It is generally thought that the name Jago is Cornish for the name James and in Welsh records as Iago. 4 Early rolls point to a variety of spellings and entries of both as a forename and surname: Jago filius Ytel listed in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire in 1185; and William Jeago in the Assize Rolls for Shropshire in 1221. 4 Early History of the Mc Kigough familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mc Kigough research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1684, 1723, 1724 and 1807 are included under the topic Early Mc Kigough History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mc Kigough Spelling VariationsCornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Jago, Jagoe, Jagow, Jeago, Jego, Mac Ego and many more. Early Notables of the Mc Kigough familyMore information is included under the topic Early Mc Kigough Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Mc Kigough family to IrelandSome of the Mc Kigough family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Mc Kigough familyA search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Mc Kigough: Richard Jego, who sailed to Virginia in 1628; Walter Jago to Barbados in 1634; John, Patrick and Hester Jago to Boston in 1849; and Catherine Jago to Boston in 1850..
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