Surname Riggers - Meaning and Origin
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Riggers: What does the surname Riggers mean?
The last name Riggers is thought to be of English origin, first recorded in 1176 in Warwickshire and first found in Essex. The name is likely from rigg, an Old English nickname for a person with red hair, from Old English rīc. It is also possible that the name is derived from a trade name, originating from one prominent member of the profession. Rigger derives from the Middle English word ‘rigen’, meaning to rig or prepare a ship with masts, ropes etc. Salt workers were among the earliest members of the Riggers family in England. They were a team operating under a a professional rigger who supervised their work.
Rigger is also a Scottish surname originating from the Gaelic personal name ‘Ureich’, which is related to the Irish ‘Ua Ruadhaigh’, meaning ‘descendant of Ruadhaigh’. Ruadhaigh most likely derived from the personal name ‘ruadh’, or ‘red’, and thus has a similar meaning to ‘Riggers’.
The Riggers surname is found in various forms in countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, and America. Included among the earliest recorded bearers of the Riggers surname are Thomas Rigger, who recorded in 1332 in the “Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire”, and Richard Rigar, who recorded in 1582 in “Early Scottish Records of Elgineshire”.
Today, the Riggers family name is primarily found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, where many of their descendants carry on the legacy of their predecessors. No matter where they are, Riggers family members remain proud of their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisRiggers: Where does the name Riggers come from?
The last name Riggers is most common in The Netherlands, where the vast majority of people with the last name are from. The Netherlands is a country located in Western Europe, north of Belgium and west of Germany. This small country is home to 17 million people, and nearly 3,000 people have the last name Riggers. Despite its small size, The Netherlands has a large and diverse population, with citizens from all over the world.
Riggers is also fairly common in Belgium, where just over 500 people have the last name. It became increasingly popular in the region during the 20th century, when an influx of immigration meant people from all parts of The Netherlands, Germany, and even some other countries, began to settle in the Low Countries.
In the United States, Riggers is far less common, but it certainly exists. In fact, the first person carrying the name to settle in the United States was John Riggers in 1731. Today, there are over 7,000 people with the last name Riggers in the United States. The majority of them (around 6,000) are located in California.
The last name Riggers is also found in smaller numbers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and other countries. The name Riggers is probably less common today than it was decades ago because of its roots in the Netherlands, which is a much smaller country today than it was in the past. However, people with the last name Riggers can still be found around the world.
Variations of the surname Riggers
The surname Riggers is a patronymic or family name originating in Germany. The original spelling of the surname is Riggers, which is also the most common spelling found in Germany and the United States. Some of the variant spellings for the surname Riggers are Rygers, Ryggers, Rigger, Richters, Regers, and Rigers.
In Germany, the surname Riggers is derived from the German personal name Richter. This name was originally formed from two older German words, ‘ric’ meaning power and ‘hari’ meaning army or people. The original German spelling of the given name is Richter, which is found in many other countries as well.
In the United States, the surname Riggers is found mostly in the states of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It is also found in other countries, such as Canada, England, and Australia. Some of the variant spellings of the surname that are found in the United States include Richters, Rygers, Ryggers, Regers, Rigger, and Rigers.
Other surnames derived from the same root are Richtersen, Rygerts, Ryggersdatter, Reger, Rigert, and Rigger. These surnames are derived from the given name Richter, and are used in various parts of the world.
Overall, the surname Riggers is a patronymic or family name originating in Germany. Its variants, spellings, and surname variations are found throughout the world, with the most common spelling being Riggers.
Famous people with the name Riggers
- Thomas Riggert: Dutch professional footballer
- Robert V. Riggers: American master sculptor
- Frederick L. Rigger Jr.: member of the Maryland House of Delegates
- Isabella Rigger: British Paralympic swimmer
- Anton Rigger: Austrian composer and conductor
- Patricia Rigger: Floridian radio and television presenter
- Markus Rigger: Swiss marathon runner
- Jeff Rigger: Major League Baseball manager
- Manuela Rigger: German cyclist
- Frank Riggers: Dutch historian and author