Vigors History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Vigors family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Cornwall. Their name, however, is a reference to St. Vigore Des Montes, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Now known as Saint-Vigor, the Eure department is approximately 120 square miles.

Early Origins of the Vigors family

The surname Vigors was first found in Cornwall. They were originally from St. Vigore Des Montes in the arrondisement of St. Lo in the canton of Tessy, in Normandy. They were neighbors of the Traceys who also settled in the west country at Barnstaple in Devon.

Not all of the family left Normandy for England as Simon Vigor (c.1515-1575) from Evreux, Normandy was a French Catholic bishop and controversialist.

Early History of the Vigors family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vigors research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vigors History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vigors 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 Vigors, Viggars, Vigars, Viggors, Viggers, Vigures, Vigours and many more.

Early Notables of the Vigors family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vigors Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vigors family to Ireland

Some of the Vigors family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vigors 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 Vigors or a variant listed above: James Vigures settled in New England in 1771; John, Lewis, George, and Robert Vigours sustained losses when St. Pierre surrendered to the French in 1763..

Contemporary Notables of the name Vigors (post 1700) +

Nicholas Aylward Vigors (1785-1840), Irish zoologist, born at Old Leighlin in 1785, son of Nicholas Aylward Vigors (1755–1828) of Old Leighlin and Bellmount, co. Carlow

The Vigors Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spectemur agendo
Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.