Bigbie
An English surname derived from the Old English term "biggin", meaning a dwelling or homestead.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Bigbie. That puts it at #56,073 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bigbie surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#56,073
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
365
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 365 bearers of the surname Bigbie in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 56073rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigbie, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Black (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bigbie
The surname Bigbie is believed to have originated from the northern regions of England during the early Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bic" meaning ridge or hill, and "by" meaning a farmstead or settlement, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a prominent hill or ridge.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Biggebi" and "Biggebey." These entries suggest that the name was already established in various parts of northern England by the late 11th century.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Bigby," "Biggebie," and "Bygby," reflecting the changes in spelling and pronunciation over time. One notable bearer of the name during this period was John Bigby, a landowner in Yorkshire, who was mentioned in records dating back to 1327.
By the 15th century, the spelling had largely settled on the form "Bigbie." In 1492, a Richard Bigbie was recorded as a resident of Nottinghamshire. Another prominent figure was William Bigbie, a merchant from Lancashire, who was active in the early 16th century.
In the 17th century, the name spread to other parts of England, and even to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in America was that of Thomas Bigbie, who was born in Virginia in 1639.
Other notable bearers of the surname include:
1. James Bigbie (1802-1879), an English industrialist and philanthropist from Yorkshire.
2. Elizabeth Bigbie (1822-1898), an American educator and advocate for women's rights.
3. Henry Bigbie (1863-1941), a British explorer who led expeditions to Africa and Asia.
4. Alice Bigbie (1887-1974), an American author known for her historical novels.
5. Robert Bigbie (1920-2002), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for several decades.
Throughout its history, the surname Bigbie has maintained its connection to its Old English roots, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their origins in the landscape, settlements, and occupations of the people who bore them.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bigbie
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigbie, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Black (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Bigbie bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bigbie surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.2%
- Two or more races2.5%
- Black or African American2.2%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bigbie surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #56,073 | #56,073 | 0.0% |
| Count | 365 | 365 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bigbie bearers went from 365 to 365 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #56,073 to #56,073.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bigbie
FAQ
Bigbie surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bigbie?
The surname Bigbie holds position #56,073 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bigbie surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigbie, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Black (2.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.