Surname Biglow - Meaning and Origin

Biglow: What does the surname Biglow mean?

The surname Biglow is of English origin. It is believed to be a habitational name from a place known as Biglow, which has not been identified. The name appears to be composed of possibly an Old English personal name Bicga (derived from "becca" meaning pickaxe or mattock) combined with "hlaw" meaning hill or mound. Therefore, the surname may translate to "Bicga's hill." Like many early surnames, it likely started as a way to identify individuals by their location or their father's name. Over time, these identifiers became family names passed from one generation to the next. It's worth noting that the spelling of surnames often evolved over centuries due to a variety of linguistic and cultural influences. Hence, the name Biglow might also be found under different variants such as Bigelow, Baglow, or Bicklow. As a surname, it has been traced back to medieval England but it could be found in other parts of the world due to emigration, especially in the United States.

Biglow: Where does the name Biglow come from?

The surname Biglow is of English origin, derived from an Anglo-Saxon name for someone who lived in the vicinity of a large burial mound or hill, also referred to as a ‘barrow’. The original old English name 'Bygel’ became 'Bigelow' over time, and further spelling variations such as Biglow emerged. It's largely influenced by regional and dialectal differences.

The Biglow surname first surfaced in the county of Essex in Southeast England, and then families with this name migrated to various regions, including North America during the great migration in the 17th century. Despite its English origin, the name is now most frequently seen in the United States, especially in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Its presence in the United Kingdom is far less common today. However, a broader view would still suggest the name is relatively rare compared to other surnames, with only a few thousand individuals bearing the name globally.

Variations of the surname Biglow

The surname Biglow, characteristically American, seems to have multiple variants and spellings, partly due to the phonetic transliteration of sounds in different regions and periods. Variations can include Bigelow, Baglow, Baggelow, Biggelow, Bygelowe, and Biggelowe.

The origin of the Biglow and its variants is English. It is believed to have been derived from the pre-7th century Old English words "byge" meaning "bent" or "curved," and "hlaw" referring to "mound" or "hill." It’s therefore a locational name historically associated with a curve or bend in a hill.

One of the oldest and most common spellings is Bigelow, which is the name of several US geographical locations and is borne by numerous individuals across generations. The multiple spellings and variants must have been inspired by dialect, regional accents, and localizations. Through time and migration, these variants have been further adapted, leading to several derivations and approximations depending on regional phonetic nuances.

Famous people with the name Biglow

• William Biglow: An American rower who earned a silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
• Mark Biglow: A former professional basketball player who was a member of the Detroit Spirits in the Continental Basketball Association.
• Jim Biglow: A notable basketball coach who served as head coach at California State University, Fullerton. These individuals have notable achievements in their respective fields, but they might not be considered universally famous. There is not a significant number of globally recognized celebrities or notable figures with the last name Biglow.

Other surnames

Biglo