Surname Piggott - Meaning and Origin

Piggott: What does the surname Piggott mean?

Piggott is an English surname that finds its origins in the Medieval period. It is derived from the Middle English word "pigot," "piga," or "pigge," which are all diminutives referring to the animal pig. This suggests that the name might have originally been a nickname or occupational name for someone who raised or tended to pigs, or perhaps for a person who resembled a pig in some manner. Middle English diminutives were often used to create surnames during this period. Hence, the name can be said to refer to "one who tends pigs" or it could possibly mean a small pig, a piglet. Like many surnames, over time and generations, the original meaning of the surname Piggott has become less relevant to its bearers and it now serves more as a familial identifier.

Piggott: Where does the name Piggott come from?

The surname Piggott is primarily associated with the United Kingdom, tracing its origin to the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon Surname system. The name is found most frequently in Ireland, where data from the 1901 and 1911 census records show that Piggott was the 317th most common surname in the country. It is also found on a smaller scale in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

In Ireland, the name is particularly common along the south of the country. Using population data collected by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland for the period 1851 through 1911, it is evident that Piggott is more frequently found in County Cork and County Kerry than any other region in Ireland. The top five counties for people with the Piggott surname, in order of frequency, are Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Galway. In the United States, the Piggott surname is mostly concentrated in the northern and western regions of states such as Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Wyoming, and Nevada.

The current prevalence of the Piggott surname in the United Kingdom seems to have decreased compared to the past two centuries. However, it is still found throughout the country, and remains a major presence in Ireland. In North America, Piggott is primarily found in areas with large Irish-American populations, soundly establishing the name as a lasting legacy of the Irish origins of the family, whose roots remain strongly connected to the Emerald Isle.

Variations of the surname Piggott

The surname Piggott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and may have multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It can be spelled as Piggot, Pickot, Picot, Pigott, Pickett, and Pigott. While variations of the surname originate from the County of Wiltshire, England, and Normandy, France, the most commonly referenced spelling within the Piggott family tree is Pigott and is likely derived from the Old English word “picot,” meaning “son or follower of the pigherd.” This suggests that the bearer of the name may have a parent who worked as a pigherd or managed domesticated pigs. It is also likely related to the Piggott family of Cornwall, England due to its popularity within the county.

In addition, there are numerous meanings associated with the surname Piggott. Some of them include variants such as Piggit, Pickit, Picott, Pigotte, Picotee, Pickette, and Pigatee. Each of these appear to indicate those who were pig drivers, pig farmers, or managers of pigs, as well as those who worked with swine. Variations of the surname have also been identified in Australia, Canada, and the United States of America, which can further indicate that the original bearer of the name may have migrated from England during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Overall, the surname Piggott has multiple spellings, variants, and derivatives that can be traced back to England and Normandy. While it is often associated with pig farming, the various meanings associated with the name suggest that it can be linked to a variety of professions related to pigs.

Famous people with the name Piggott

• Kurt Piggott: Finnish professional basketball player.
• Mickey Piggott: American professional football player for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
• Steve Piggott: English entrepreneur, writer and producer from Bristol, specialising in creative production and technology businesses in the sports and leisure industry.
• Billy Piggott: American actor, singer, and rapper.
• John Piggott: American film director and screenwriter.
• Will Piggott: British entrepreneur, inventor and private investor.
• Claude Piggott: English jazz saxophonist and composer.
• Lloyd Piggott: American professional baseball player for the Chicago White Sox.
• Charles Piggott: American actor and director, who has appeared in numerous television series and films.
• Michael Piggott: English professional Deer Stalker and wildlife expert.

Other surnames

Piggon