Surname Piggins - Meaning and Origin

Piggins: What does the surname Piggins mean?

The surname Piggins is of English origin and is believed to be a nickname or occupational name. There are a few theories about its exact meaning and origin, but none are definitive.

One theory suggests that it could have originally been used as a nickname for a person with a pig-like characteristics or behavior. Surnames often originated from nicknames in medieval England.

Another possibility is that it is an occupational name. It could have been given to someone who raised or sold pigs, similar to how the name 'Smith' was used for those who worked with metal.

Additionally, the name might have also been a locational surname, derived from a place associated with pigs.

As is the case with many surnames, the exact meaning and origin of the name Piggins is not perfectly clear and can only be theorized based on historical usage and understanding of naming conventions of the time. It is important to note that the meaning of a surname can evolve over time and might differ based on geographical locations and cultures.

Piggins: Where does the name Piggins come from?

The last name Piggins is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. Piggins is predominantly a British surname, with 2,470 bearers having it as their main family name in the Great Britain during the 2011 census. Most of those with the Piggins name are said to live in the South East of England, particularly East Anglia, Sussex and Greater London.

Most of those who carry the surname originate from Norfolk and Sussex. The earliest known recording of the surname is a Thomas Piggins that was registered in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. The name was derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word for chiefs, piesa, from whence derives our modern day word 'pigeon'.

The Piggins line dates back to at least the 1500s, in a small village of Wilburton in Cambridgeshire. Today, the surname remains as one of the most popular in England, with many people carrying, or claiming, the Piggins name. It is likely that Piggins from this region of England descended to other parts of the country in the 1600s during the Industrial Revolution, when many immigrated to industrial cities in search of work.

The Piggins name is also popular in America today. It was likely introduced there during the late 19th and early 20th centuries by immigrants from the British Isles. Today there is an estimated total of 2,500 people with the last name Piggins in the United States.

Variations of the surname Piggins

Piggins is a somewhat uncommon English surname, likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon given name Pega. It is also sometimes spelled as Piggin or Piggens. The surname is most commonly found in the counties of Hampshire, Kent, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, suggesting a possible early migration from these areas.

Variants and alternate spellings of the surname include Piggings, Piggin, Piggens, Piggins and Pyggin. It is also occasionally spelled with a final "s" as Piggin's, Piggens', Piggins', and Pyggin's.

The surname Piggins is also found in Ireland, where it is sometimes anglicized as Piggott, and Scotland, where it is sometimes spelled as Piggens or Piggot.

In addition, the surname could also have derived from elements of the Old French words "piguen", meaning "sulky," and "pignon," meaning "pine nut".

As is the case for most surnames, there is no one definitive way the name has been spelled over time. The many variants and spellings of the name suggest its origins and suggest the kind of complexity in differences in dialect and accents that can lead to multiple spellings.

Famous people with the name Piggins

• Mark Piggins, an award-winning British film composer.
• John Piggins, a professional golfer known for winning the U.S. Open in 1965.
• Pat Piggins, a former NASCAR driver who is now an automotive journalist.
• Ryan Piggins, a Canadian rower and Olympic athlete.
• Dave Piggins, a British singer-songwriter and the lead vocalist of the London-based band The Wombats.
• Graham Piggins, an Irish writer and playwright.
• Darren Piggins, an Australian professional basketball player.
• Claire Piggins, an English actor and television presenter.
• Noel Piggins, a New Zealand politician.
• Barbara Piggins, an American actress who is known for her roles in extreme sports films and TV shows.

Other surnames

Piggin