Find out how popular the first name Rigby has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rigby by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Rigby is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 78% of people named Rigby being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rigby.

The history of the first name Rigby

The name Rigby has its roots in Old Norse and Old English languages, dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "hryggr," meaning "ridge" or "back," and the Old English word "by," meaning "settlement" or "village."

In its earliest form, the name was likely used as a descriptive term for a settlement or village located on a ridge or high ground, reflecting the geographic features of the area. The combination of these two words, "hryggr" and "by," eventually evolved into the surname Rigby, which later also became used as a given name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rigby can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Righebi" and "Rigebi," indicating its use as a place name or surname during that period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rigby. One of the most famous was Sir Richard Rigby (1722-1788), a prominent British politician and courtier who served as Chief Secretary for Ireland and as a Member of Parliament. Another notable figure was John Rigby (1776-1845), a renowned English gunsmith known for his innovative contributions to the design and manufacturing of sporting firearms.

In the world of literature, the name Rigby gained recognition through the character of Mr. Rigby in Emily Brontë's classic novel "Wuthering Heights," published in 1847. This character, a lawyer, played a significant role in the unfolding of the story's events.

Other notable individuals with the name Rigby include Walter Rigby (1909-1998), a British actor and playwright who appeared in numerous films and television shows, and Sir John Rigby (1924-2011), a British businessman and philanthropist who served as the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside from 1987 to 1999.

While the name Rigby may have originated as a place name or surname, it has since gained recognition as a given name in its own right, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its unique sound and historical significance have contributed to its enduring appeal as a first name choice.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rigby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rigby, please contact us.

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