Find out how popular the last name Wiggan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wiggan.

Wiggan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wiggan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiggan in America

Wiggan is the 59017th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiggan surname appeared 343 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wiggan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wiggan to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wiggan

The surname Wiggan is believed to have its origins in England, specifically dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Wig," which means "war," and the diminutive suffix "-an." It is likely that the surname developed as a patronymic, indicating "son of Wig."

The earliest evidence of the surname Wiggan can be traced back to the records of medieval England. Variants of the name, including Wiggon and Wigan, are found in ancient manuscripts and ecclesiastical registers. One of the earliest references to the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners and notable figures following the Norman Conquest. While the Wiggan spelling was not directly mentioned, its variant Wigan appears in the text as part of the holdings in Lancashire.

Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the surname evolved, appearing as Wyggeans and Wygons. The parish registers from the 16th and 17th centuries frequently document the name in various spellings, reflecting the fluid nature of orthography during the period.

In the 17th century, one notable individual with the surname Wiggan was Thomas Wiggan, born in 1620 and passing in 1686. Thomas Wiggan was known for his involvement in the early settlement of New Hampshire in the United States, where he played a significant role as an agent for the land company and as a local leader.

Another prominent figure bearing the surname was Richard Wiggan, born in 1769, who made a name for himself in the field of metallurgy during the early Industrial Revolution in England. His contributions to the improvement of iron production methods were significant during a transformative period in British industrial history.

In the 19th century, Mary Wiggan, born in 1803, became known for her charitable work and contributions to social reform movements in London. Her efforts focused on improving the conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights, earning her recognition among social reformers of her time. Mary passed away in 1878.

Colonel George Wiggan, born in 1832, served with distinction in the British Army during the colonial period, particularly noted for his service in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. His leadership and strategic capabilities garnered him a commendable reputation, and he remained a respected military figure until his death in 1901.

In the literary world, Elizabeth Wiggan, born in 1895, achieved acclaim as a poet and novelist, with her works reflecting the social and cultural shifts of early 20th-century England. Her contributions to literature earned her a respected place among her contemporaries, and she continued to write until her passing in 1967.

The surname Wiggan, through its various historical references and notable individuals, provides a rich tapestry of England's history, reflecting the name's endurance and adaptability through centuries of change.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiggan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wiggan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wiggan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wiggan has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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