Map of England showing where the Pigg arms are recorded
The Pigg arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Pigg 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 Pigg Family in England
The surname Pigg is an occupational or descriptive name that originated in medieval England. During the Middle Ages, names were often taken from the animals that a person raised or from a nickname that described a person's character or physical appearance. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Pigg family had established a notable presence in the city of York. At this time, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city's guild system or local commerce. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of northern England, contributing to the local economy and community life for generations. These early ancestors helped define the name as it moved from a simple descriptor into a lasting family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pic
Old French or Middle English term for a pointed object or peak.
This name
PiggA nickname for a person with a sharp or pointed physical feature.
also spelled
Pygg
Pyg
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
