NameCensus.

UK surname

Wiggan

A surname of English origin possibly meaning "from the marsh village".

In the 1881 census there were 119 people recorded with the Wiggan surname, ranking it #17,841 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 343, ranked #13,368, up from #17,841 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Skipton, Norton-under-Cannock with Little Wyrley and Whalley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Shropshire and Wolverhampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wiggan is 364 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 188.2%.

1881 census count

119

Ranked #17,841

Modern count

343

2016, ranked #13,368

Peak year

2010

364 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wiggan had 119 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,841 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 343 in 2016, ranked #13,368.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 186 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Wiggan surname distribution map

The map shows where the Wiggan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Wiggan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wiggan over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 130 #14,314
1861 historical 139 #16,263
1881 historical 119 #17,841
1891 historical 186 #15,740
1901 historical 145 #18,426
1911 historical 154 #17,553
1997 modern 288 #13,886
1998 modern 288 #14,249
1999 modern 301 #13,926
2000 modern 294 #14,105
2001 modern 287 #14,131
2002 modern 302 #13,938
2003 modern 316 #13,355
2004 modern 335 #12,870
2005 modern 323 #13,133
2006 modern 324 #13,183
2007 modern 330 #13,142
2008 modern 335 #13,115
2009 modern 357 #12,766
2010 modern 364 #12,851
2011 modern 361 #12,800
2012 modern 343 #13,158
2013 modern 348 #13,239
2014 modern 351 #13,227
2015 modern 342 #13,396
2016 modern 343 #13,368

Geography

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Where Wiggans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Skipton, Norton-under-Cannock with Little Wyrley, Whalley, Linton and Wensley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Barnsley and Burnley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Skipton Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Norton-under-Cannock with Little Wyrley Staffordshire
3 Whalley Lancashire
4 Linton Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Wensley Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 008 Craven
2 Shropshire 029 Shropshire
3 Wolverhampton 015 Wolverhampton
4 Barnsley 012 Barnsley
5 Burnley 010 Burnley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wiggan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Wiggan surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wiggan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wiggan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Wiggan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Wiggan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Wiggan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wiggan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wiggan falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wiggan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Wiggan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of 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.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wiggan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wiggan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 40 Wiggans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.48x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 40 3.48x
Staffordshire 27 6.89x
Lancashire 19 1.38x
Shropshire 9 8.97x
Durham 5 1.45x
Warwickshire 5 1.71x
Gloucestershire 2 0.88x
Middlesex 2 0.17x
Surrey 2 0.35x
Westmorland 2 7.84x
Cumberland 1 1.00x
Dunbartonshire 1 3.21x
Essex 1 0.44x
Leicestershire 1 0.78x
Sussex 1 0.51x
Worcestershire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingswinford in Staffordshire leads with 12 Wiggans recorded in 1881 and an index of 84.39x.

Place Total Index
Kingswinford 12 84.39x
Leyburn 11 2820.51x
Norton Canes 10 699.30x
Skipton 10 276.24x
Coniston Cold 9 6923.08x
Colne 5 121.95x
Dalton In Furness 5 93.99x
Heworth 5 73.53x
Aston Botterell 4 5714.29x
Gnosall 4 421.05x
Keighley 4 32.63x
Ryton 4 5000.00x
Hapton 3 348.84x
Padiham 3 90.09x
Barnsley 2 16.86x
Beetham 2 512.82x
Camberwell 2 2.70x
St Pancras London 2 2.14x
Aston 1 1.24x
Badgeworth 1 250.00x
Billington 1 178.57x
Birmingham 1 1.03x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 4.57x
Cockermouth 1 47.62x
Colchester St Botolph 1 51.28x
Eastbourne 1 11.11x
Edgbaston 1 11.01x
Hammerwich 1 178.57x
Hebden 1 833.33x
Kilmaronock 1 270.27x
Kirkleatham 1 64.52x
Loughborough 1 17.12x
Madeley 1 27.17x
Painswick 1 62.11x
Preston Under Soar 1 714.29x
Richmond 1 55.56x
Studley 1 80.00x
Sutton Coldfield 1 32.47x
Toxteth Park 1 2.14x
Worcester All Sts 1 113.64x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wiggan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 5
Annie 4
Sarah 4
Isabella 3
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Ann 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Louisa 2
Polly 2
Adelaid 1
Alice 1
Harriet 1
Hester 1
Kate 1
Maria 1
Mariah 1
Martha 1
Rebecca 1
Susanna 1
Susie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wiggan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 14
Thomas 8
William 8
Charles 2
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Robert 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Ellery 1
George 1
Henry 1
Holmes 1
James 1
Metcalfe 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Wiggan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wiggan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 119 people were recorded with the Wiggan surname. That placed it at #17,841 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wiggan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 343 in 2016. That gives Wiggan a modern rank of #13,368.

What does the Wiggan surname mean?

A surname of English origin possibly meaning "from the marsh village".

What does the Wiggan map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wiggan bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.