Map of England showing where the Wigington arms are recorded
The Wigington 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 Wigington 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 Wigington Family in England
The surname Wigington is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locative name derived from small settlements or farmsteads. The name likely refers to a place associated with the followers or descendants of a man named Wig. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family were firmly established in the historic city of York. Records confirm their presence there by 1620, placing them in a vibrant urban center that served as a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England. During this period, the family would have been part of a society transitioning through significant religious and political shifts. Their residence in York suggests they were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined the city’s economy during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wig
Old English element meaning war or battle.
This name
WigingtonDerived from a place name meaning the settlement of the warrior's people.
also spelled
Wygyngton
Related arms
Wygyngtonvariant spelling
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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
