Surname Riggs - Meaning and Origin
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A Deep Dive into the Riggs Surname: Insights from my iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test has unveiled a comprehensive picture of my ancestry, providing insights into the heritage of my Riggs surname. The technical sophistication and accuracy of the results have considerably deepened my understanding of my surname's historical significance and origins, tracing it back to Anglo-Saxon England.
P. Riggs
read moreRiggs: What does the surname Riggs mean?
The surname Riggs is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English pre 7th century word "hrycg," which means "ridge." It was typically given to someone who lived on or near a ridge. The surname may also be locational, originating from any of the places named with this word, such as Ridge in Hertfordshire or Riggs in West Yorkshire. In some instances, the name may have been topographic for someone who lived on a ridge. The surname first appears in records in the 12th century and has several variations including Ridge, Rigg, Rigge, and others. Today, the surname is found in many parts of the world due to the migration of individuals over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisRiggs: Where does the name Riggs come from?
The last name Riggs is quite common today, especially in the United States. It is found in all 50 states, and according to the US Census Bureau, the last name Riggs is the 1,050th most common last name in the United States.
In terms of geography, the Riggs name has a strong presence in the south and midwest regions of the United States. West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina have some of the greatest concentrations of Riggs individuals, in addition to Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia.
Riggs is also common in other countries like England, Australia, and Canada. The Riggs surname is a top 200 surname in England, and it ranks among the most common surnames in Australia and Canada.
It is thought that the Riggs surname originated as an old Anglo-Saxon name, and it was most likely taken on by someone who was a native of either Rye or Rigston. According to historical records, early spellings of the Riggs surname included Rygges, Rycks, and Ryggsy. This may explain why the Riggs name is now found in countries around the world, likely due to migration and immigration.
Overall, the Riggs surname is quite common today, with people bearing the name living in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Riggs
The surname Riggs is derived from the early English and Scots-Irish personal name "Riggs," itself derived from the name "Ric." Variations on the spelling of the surname include "Rigges," "Riggeson," "Reges," and "Rekes."
The surname Riggs is found across the English-speaking world, and has numerous spelling variants. Those primarily common within the United States include: Rigdon, Rigsby, Riggsbee, Riggsely, Regester, Regeser, Riggsdon, Rigson, Rigsson, Regeson, and Regas.
The Scottish form of the surname Riggs is usually spelled "Rigg". Variations found in Scotland include Rigge, Rigg, and Rigges. In Ireland, variants include Regan, Reige, Reiges, Reaves and Reeve.
In Europe, variations on the surname Riggs include the German and Dutch Riks, the Swedish Rygg and the Polish Rygiel. In the Czech Republic, the surname is spelled Rigel and in Ukraine, the surname is spelled Rizh.
The surname Riggs is also found among the British royal family and the aristocratic Howard family. In England, variations on the surname include Rees, Rehs, Reigs, Reggs and Raggs. In Wales, variations include the Welsh Rees.
Overall, the surname Riggs is widely varied and can be found across the world with numerous spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Riggs
- Martin Riggs, the fictional character portrayed by Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon series.
- Dwight Riggs, a US Army helicopter pilot and NASA astronaut.
- Aaron Riggs, a professional golfer.
- Jesse Riggs, an American lawyer and politician.
- Ed Riggs, an American folk artist and woodcarver.
- Amanda Riggs, a former child actress who appeared in movies such as Parent Trap IV and Aces 'N' Eights.
- Austin Riggs, son of former NFL running back Earnest Graham.
- Gordon Riggs, English footballer who played as a defender for Millwall.
- Percy Riggs, an American aviator and editor of Air Transport Magazine.
- Joe Riggs, an American mixed martial artist who has competed in Strikeforce, Bellator and UFC.