Show ContentsWygle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Wygle surname comes from the Old English words "wicga," meaning a "bug," and " leah," meaning a clearing in the woods. There are several places in England named from these words, such as Wigley in Derbyshire, Wigley, Shropshire, Wigley Cross in Dorset, and Wigley in Hampshire; the surname may have been a habitational name, taken on from one of these place names.

Early Origins of the Wygle family

The surname Wygle was first found in Derbyshire where they held a family seat at Brampton during the reign of king Edward III (ruled 1327-1377). The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1328 when they held a family seat in Brampton in that shire.

Early History of the Wygle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wygle research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1683, 1776 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Wygle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wygle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wigley, Whigley, Wiggeley, Wygley, Wyggeley, Wiggerley and many more.

Early Notables of the Wygle family

More information is included under the topic Early Wygle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wygle family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Wigley, who arrived in New England in 1666; John Wigley, who came to Maryland in 1670; Thomas Wigley, who arrived in Maryland in 1673; Elizabeth Wigley, a bonded passenger who arrived in Jamaica in 1716.


Contemporary Notables of the name Wygle (post 1700) +

  • Brien Singleton Wygle (1924-2020), American pilot from Seattle, Washington, co-pilot of the first Boeing 747 flight
  • Patsy Wygle, American actress, known for When Nature Calls (1985) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
  • Kathleen Wygle, American actress, known for Pale Rider (1985)and Dark Horse (1992)
  • Rachael Wygle, American model and beauty pageant contestant for Miss Texas USA 2008


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