Map of England showing where the Bigham arms are recorded
The Bigham arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1620.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 Bigham 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Bigham Family in England
The surname Bigham is a locational name that originated in England, likely referring to people who lived near a specific homestead or enclosure. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Oxford. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Bigham family were active participants in the local community during this period of English history. As the family grew, they moved through different regions, often adapting the spelling of their name to match local pronunciations or regional dialects. This movement helped the family name spread from its initial roots in the English Midlands to other parts of the British Isles and eventually across the Atlantic. The history of the name reflects the broader patterns of migration and social development that defined life in England during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
By-ham
Old English words for a settlement or homestead located near a village.
This name
BighamA habitational name referring to someone who lived at a dwelling near a village.
also spelled
Brygham
Brighem
Bryghem
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Oxfordshire Archives, Oxford City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1620
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
