A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bigg family of England.
Reg. 8081 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. on a fesse engr. betw. three martlets sa. as many annulets or”
SussexIping · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Bigg Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Bigg arms are recorded
The Bigg arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bigg arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sussex.
Origin & History of the Bigg Family in England
The surname Bigg is rooted in the Old English language, likely originating as a descriptive nickname for a person of large or sturdy physical stature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Sussex, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bigg family were active residents in this region during a time of significant social and economic change. As the name evolved, it transitioned from a simple descriptor into a hereditary family name passed down through generations. This history reflects the common practice of the era where personal traits often became the foundation for identifying families within their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bicga
An Old English personal name derived from the word for sword.
This name
BiggA descriptive nickname for a person of large or stout physical stature.
also spelled
Bygg
Bygge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
