Pigdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Pigdan

What does the name Pigdan mean?

The ancestors of the Pigdan family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their 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 Pigdan family

The surname Pigdan 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 Pigdan family

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

Pigdan Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval 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. The name has been spelled Pigeon, Pidgeon and others.

Early Notables of the Pigdan family

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

Migration of the Pigdan family to Ireland

Some of the Pigdan 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 Pigdan family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World 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 stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Pigdan 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)