Map of England showing where the Biggs arms are recorded
The Biggs arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Biggs 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 England.
Origin & History of the Biggs Family in England
The surname Biggs is an English patronymic name that likely originated as a nickname for a person of large stature or a robust build. It is derived from the Old English word bigge, which simply meant big or stout. By the early seventeenth century, the name was well-established across various parts of England, including the bustling city of London. Records from 1620 show that members of the Biggs family were active participants in the social and economic life of the capital during this era of rapid expansion. These early ancestors were part of a growing middle class that helped shape the city through trade, craftsmanship, and civic involvement. As the family grew, they spread from these urban centers into the surrounding countryside, cementing the name as a permanent fixture in English history.
Biggs Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bicga
An Old English personal name derived from a word meaning sword.
This name
BiggsA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Bicga.
also spelled
Bigges
Byggs
Bygges
Related arms
Biggsame arms
Biggesvariant spelling
Ellisonrecorded with Biggs, same area
Hirstrecorded with Biggs, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
