Surname Twigg - Meaning and Origin
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Twigg: What does the surname Twigg mean?
The last name Twigg is believed to have its origins in North West England. The name is thought to come from the Old English words twigga, tæfel, and twæfel, which all mean twig or shoot. In some cases, the name may be a locational name derived from either of numerous places in the north west of England named with the Old English word twigga or twigge meaning a twig.
During its early history as a surname, Twigg was often associated with weaving. There are records that merit the name being used by weavers and wool-dyers in the 17th and 18th centuries in Lancashire and Cheshire. However, the last name could be derived from occupations other than weaving.
It is believed that the earliest documented use of the last name Twigg was in the 13th century. A one Roger of Twigg is recorded on the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire for 1292, and a Nicholas de Twigge was listed in the 12th century Assize Court Rolls of Durham.
The last name Twigg is still relatively common in the United Kingdom. The highest concentration of bearers of Twigg can be found in Lancashire and Manchester, followed by Yorkshire. Outside the UK, the last name is found in small numbers in Australia, Canada, and the United States, mainly among descendants of British immigrants.
Order DNA origin analysisTwigg: Where does the name Twigg come from?
The last name Twigg is most commonly found in remnants of the British Isles, primarily England, Scotland, and Wales. It is a relatively uncommon name, with fewer than 17,000 people in the United Kingdom bearing the name in 2021. The surname is believed to have originated in England as a nickname for a particular family's characteristic hair or clothing.
In England, the name is most concentrated in West Yorkshire and Lancashire counties, where a strong family connection is believed to have existed for centuries. In Scotland, the name mainly occurs in the rural Aberdeenshire region, but is also scattered throughout the country with an interestingly-high frequency in the capital city of Edinburgh. In Wales, it is the most common in Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire counties, and can also be found in small numbers in Glamorganshire and Pembrokeshire.
Outside of Britain, the name Twigg is fairly uncommon, but can be found in the United States and Australia, with a few hundreds of such people in each country. It is believed that many Twiggs of today are descended from British immigrants who migrated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Twigg
The surname Twigg is derived from the name 'Twichell', which in turn comes from the old English term 'Twycael' meaning 'twy-spring'. Variants of the surname Twigg include Twichell, Twichill, Twitchel, Twichell, Twichill, Twichel, Twitchelle, Twichells, Twitchell and Twitchells.
The spelling of Twigg was common in England during the Middle Ages. In the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, a record of key events in English history, Twigge appears as one of several landholders in Berkshire in the ninth century. It is possible that Twigge was the ancestor of those who later adopted the name Twigg.
spelling variations include Twigg, Twichel, Twitchel, Twitchell, Twichell,Twitchelle, Twichells, and Twitchells.
The surname Twigg is derived from a place-name, and it is possible that the name could have been derived from the Twigg family of Hadsor, Shropshire, who were known to have held lands since the 12th century.
In Scotland, Twigg is pronounced Twinkle. There is also a variation of the name spelled Twigge or Twig, which is seen mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In America, Twiggs is the most common spelling, likely due to the influence of Irish immigration. Other Americanized forms of the name include Twige, Twiges, and Twiggles.
It is important to note that the spelling of Twiggs is also used as a surname in Great Britain. In some cases, the spelling was simply a matter of preference.
In conclusion, someone researching the Twigg surname can refer to a variety of spelling variants and surnames of the same origin, including Twichell, Twichill, Twitchel, Twichells, Twitchell, Twitchelle, Twigge, Twig, Twiggs, Twige, Twiges, and Twiggles.
Famous people with the name Twigg
- Meg Twigg: an Australian actress known for her roles in film, television, and commercials.
- David Twigg: an English professional footballer who played for various clubs in the Football League from 1955 to 1968.
- Sonny Twigg: an American actor who starred in the 1970s televisions series Baretta.
- Eddie Twigg: an English professional footballer known for his career in the Football League in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Sarah Twigg: a British record-breaking athlete and professional basketball coach.
- Jon Twigg: a Canadian ice hockey player who played for several NHL teams during the 1990s.
- Debbie Twigg: an American writer and co-writer of several books, including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.
- Phil Twigg: an English drummer best known as a former member of the band The Damned.
- Dru Twigg: an American actor who is known for his roles in a variety of films and television shows.
- John Twigg: a Canadian electrical engineer who invented the first programmable musical instrument.