Surname Beggins - Meaning and Origin

Beggins: What does the surname Beggins mean?

The last name Beggins is an Anglo-Scots surname originating in Scotland. Its precise origin is unknown, but there are several versions of the name, such as Beggin, Beggan, Beaggan, and Beggs, which all hold similar roots and are likely from the same source.

The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "beag", meaning "little". This could be a reference to a physical characteristic or a reference to an individual's small stature or limited means. Beggin may have been a nickname given to someone whom people saw as needing help, or who was known to beg for money or food.

In its recorded form, the earliest record of the Beggins surname is from the 13th century, which shows the name linked to the island of Skye off the coast of Scotland. The name is anglicized from its Gaelic and Scots form, which would have been spelt with an "mac" at the beginning.

The Beggins name was spread across Scotland. In the mid-14th century, the families of Beggins who settled on the east coast of Scotland mostly in Angus, Perthshire, Fife, and Forfarshire, would have pronounced the name "Beg-in". Surnames provide a unique insight into our heritage, and the Beggins surname is no different. It can provide an interesting look into the history of the Beggins family and an exploration of their ancestral roots.

Beggins: Where does the name Beggins come from?

The surname Beggins is most commonly found today in the United States, with a presence in other English-speaking countries such as Canada and Ireland. It is believed to have originated in Ireland and is thought to be an anglicisation of the old Gaelic name "Beggan." In America, the surname is often seen in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, although it is certainly not limited to these areas. It is also common in the UK, especially around Lancashire and Yorkshire.

In the United States, the surname of Beggins typically has no meaning or etymology—rather, it is simply a spelling variation of the much more common surname Beggin. While some variations of this name may be Taiwanese, the name itself is usually of Irish origin. However, there are those who suggest that Beggins originates from Sweden or the Netherlands.

Beggins is an uncommon surname, but it is certainly not rare. Currently, there are over 650 individuals in the United States with this surname, many of whom live in close proximity to each other. The Beggins family tree is quite large, although with so few people bearing the name today it is difficult to trace how far back the family line goes.

It is likely that the last name Beggins will continue to stay in the United States, with more family members popping up in different areas of the country. Whether they retain the traditional spelling or get creative with spelling variations, the surname Beggins has a long and interesting history that future generations can continue to explore.

Variations of the surname Beggins

The surnames Beggins, Began, Beegin, Beggen, Beggin, Begging and Beggan all share the same origin. This name is derived from the Old English word ‘Beag’ meaning ‘pledge’ or ‘security’. It indicates that the original bearer of this surname was someone who offered security to creditors as guarantors or surety.

This Old English word could be spelled in many different ways, which gives rise to the variations in surnames such as Beggans, Beggen, Begging, and Beggan. During the Middle Ages, when the English language was more unstructured, there were no standardized spellings for words, and even the name of a person could be spelled differently under different circumstances.

The Beggins spelling of the surname is most common today and is largely used in Britain. The Began form is more commonly found in Ireland, while the Beegin spelling is mostly used in the United States. The Beggin and Beggen variants are also sometimes seen in the United States.

Given the fact that the surnames Beggins, Began, Beegin, Beggen, Beggin, Begging and Beggan all have the same origin, it is likely that they all descended from a single source in the distant past and were simply spelled differently over time.

Famous people with the name Beggins

• James Beggins: former California state senator and a long-time Orange County supervisor.
• Billie Jean Beggins: award-winning jazz singer and composer known for her eight-octave vocal range.
• Jason Beggins: former NASCAR driver who competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
• P. J. Beggins: writer and director of feature films, television series, and documentaries.
• David Beggins: Vice President and General Manager of Business Solutions at Microsoft.
• Peter Beggins: professional baseball player who played for the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs.
• Jim Beggins: American musician who has released several albums with the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
• Clifford Beggins: College of William & Mary professor and senior scholar of the Shepherd Poverty Program.
• Vince Beggins: professional American Football player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Keith Beggins: English soccer goalkeeper who has played for numerous clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City.

Other surnames

Beggin