Surname Rigsby - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Rigsby

Rigsby: What does the surname Rigsby mean?

Rigsby is of English origin and owes its root to Old Norse. It is an example of many English surnames that originated as a combination of a family name and geographical location. Rigsby specifically is a compound of two parts - the Old Norse personal name 'Hringr' or 'Ring' and 'by', an element in Old Norse place names meaning a farm, settlement, or village. So a rough translation could be "Ring's village" or "Ring's settlement". It points to a place where people belonging to Ring or Hringr lived. There are places named 'Rigsby' in Lincolnshire county of England, suggesting a likely origin of the surname. Like many other surnames, it could have been used to identify individuals coming from that area. As people moved for trading, employment or other purposes, surnames became necessary to distinguish between people with common first names.

Rigsby: Where does the name Rigsby come from?

The last name Rigsby is predominately associated with Ireland and England. It is most common in Ireland, with over 6,000 people in the country bearing the name. It can also be found in England, with 1,000 people officially registered as "Rigsby."

The etymology of the name is thought to be derived from the Old English personal name "Rig," possibly meaning "young rider," and "by" which combined means "one who lives at a Rider's place". Additionally, the French form of the name is Rigault and could come from the family name "Rie" which was a nickname for someone who acted too much like a "king".

Rigsby is an increasingly rare surname as the population of those who share its name dwindles in England and Ireland due to emigration and intermarriage; however, the name can still be found, particularly in rural provinces of England, such as Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, and Northamptonshire.

Today, the name is spelt differently in many countries, such as Rigby in Australia, Regeby in Sweden, and Rigbee in the United States. While the spelling may be different, the origin typically remains the same.

Variations of the surname Rigsby

Rigsby is an English surname derived from the place-name Rigsby, which itself is derived from a Saxon personal name made up of the elements 'ric' (power) and 'by' (settlement). The variants and different spellings of the surname Rigsby include: Rigby, Riggby, Rigbee, Rigby, Riggsby, Riggsy, Riggsbey, Rigsy, Rizby, Rygsby, Riggeby and Rygby.

The surname Rigsby is also found in many other countries due to immigration and may be further altered due to other languages. For example, in many German speaking countries, it may take the form of Rigsbauer, Rigsbohrer, or Rigsbach, and in some Slavic-speaking countries it is spelled Rygowski.

Rigby and Rigbee are two of the most common variations of the name. The other variations are much less common and may be found in certain areas or countries. These variations are normally limited to certain families that have used these versions of the name for generations.

There are also a number of other surnames with similar origins to Rigsby, such as Ryggs, Rygg, and Rigg. These surnames are derived from individual place names which similarly originate from someone with the power or influence to settle or found a village or town.

The surname Rigsby is not common, however it is still found in many countries to this day. It is a testament to the influence and power of the original Saxon settlers. It remains a reminder of how far the name has come since its humble beginnings.

Famous people with the name Rigsby

• Kasey Rigsby, American professional ice hockey player
• Ben Rigsby, American singer-songwriter
• Sena Rigsby, American actress
• Charles Rigsby, American polo champion
• Bill Rigsby, III, American business executive
• Frank Rigsby, American professional poker player
• George Rigsby, British illustrator
• Jonathan Rigsby, American actor
• Marla Rigsby, American legislator and actress
• Paul Rigsby, Canadian professional football player
• Bruce Rigsby, American attorney and businessman
• Tami Kigshe Rigsby, American College professor
• David Rigsby, American musician
• Elsie Rigsby, American minister and educator
• Gordon Rigsby, American politician
• Juliette Rigsby, British actress
• Carl Rigsby, Australian surgeon
• Phil Rigsby, Canadian photographer
• Roxanne Rigsby, American media news contributor
• Thomas Rigsby, American environmental activist

Other surnames

Rigsbee