Pigden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Pigden

Today's generation of the Pigden family bears a name that was brought to England by the wave of emigration that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes 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 Pigden family

Early History of the Pigden family

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

Pigden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Pigden have been found, including Pigeon, Pidgeon and others.

Early Notables of the Pigden family

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

Migration of the Pigden family to Ireland

Some of the Pigden 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 Pigden family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Pigden were among those contributors: 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.