Map of England showing where the Rigdon arms are recorded
The Rigdon arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Rigdon 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Rigdon Family in England
The Rigdon surname is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a locational name derived from a specific place. Historical records confirm that members of the Rigdon family were established in the city of Lincoln by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families living near a "ridge hill" or a cleared piece of land, which is the likely linguistic root of the name. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric in Lincolnshire, participating in the trade and agricultural life that defined the region during the early seventeenth century. This period was a time of significant transition in England, and the Rigdon family’s presence in Lincoln suggests they were well-settled members of the community before the waves of migration to the American colonies began.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ricard
Old Germanic elements meaning brave power or strong ruler.
This name
RigdonA locational surname derived from a valley or hill belonging to a powerful ruler.
also spelled
Rygdon
Rigden
Rygden
Related arms
Burrellrecorded with Rigdon, same area
Fosterrecorded with Rigdon, 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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1620
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pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
