Surname Ligon - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Ligon: What does the surname Ligon mean?
The last name Ligon is of French origin. It comes from the old French word 'legun' which refers to a type of fish, often translated as 'bream'. Early forms of the surname were DeLegun, L'Egun and eventually evolved to Ligon. Therefore, it could be perceived as 'descendant of the fisherman'.
Another belief is that Ligon may also be linked to the ancient and picturesque region of Forez in France.
Like many surnames, Ligon could likely have developed as a geographical reference or an occupational title.
The variations in the spelling of the surname include Liggon, Lygon, Liggon, Lygon, Liggan, Ligen, Lygen, and several others. Despite the variations in its spelling over time, the last name Ligon has a rich cultural and historical background. The family with this surname significantly contributed to social, economical and political spheres wherever they resided.
Order DNA origin analysisLigon: Where does the name Ligon come from?
The surname Ligon is of British origin, rooted in the Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name given to a person who was named for their attributes, such as their occupation or physical characteristics, a common practice among many medieval European cultures. In this case, Ligon is a nickname type of surname and it was derived from the Old English word "lewicna" which means "lightning."
Over time, these type names turned into fixed hereditary surnames and were passed on to successive generations. The name later adopted different variations across different regions, even as the original root may have faded in usage.
Today, the Ligon surname is mostly found in the United States, with a few bearers in England and Canada. According to Forebears, it is the 10,101st most common surname in the world. It is most prevalent in the United States and highest per capita in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Other considerable populations of people with the Ligon surname exist in the Philippines and Canada. Arizona and Indiana have the highest number of Ligons in the U.S.
Variations of the surname Ligon
The surname Ligon has several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Its variants include Lygon, Liggon, Lyggon, Liggin, Liggan, and Lyggin. It's common for names to have varying spellings due to regional linguistic differences and changes over time.
One theory is that Ligon could be an Anglicized version of the French surname "Ligonier", which also exists as "Leigonier."
Some of the other surnames that could be related to Ligon include Ligone, Ligones, Ligonier, and Liggons.
It must be noted that determining the exact origins and variants of a surname is often challenging due to the significant effects of geographic location, regional dialects, and historical events on language, which subsequently impacts name spellings and evolution. Moreover, the surname could have multiple origins, meaning it might have appeared independently in different geographical areas.
Genealogical research, along with DNA testing, can help provide a more accurate connection between surnames and their different versions, origins, and relationships.
Famous people with the name Ligon
- Derrick Ligon: Former American basketball professional player
- Grant Ligon: Professional freediver and underwater photographer
- Oscar Ligon: Grammy Award winner; American songwriter
- Robert Ligon III: Creator of a mental health app
- Kenneth Ligon: Influential pastor and civil rights leader
- Mabel Ligon: Poet and fiction writer
- Stan Ligon: American football and rugby player
- D. Cat Ligon: Producer, songwriter, and music engineer
- Freddy Ligon: Jazz saxophonist and flautist
- Evelyn Ligon: Radio and television broadcaster