Surname Pigott - Meaning and Origin

Pigott: What does the surname Pigott mean?

The surname Pigott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the nickname "Pigot," meaning "spotted or pierced". This was often used as a term of endearment or a topographic name for somebody who lived by a pointed hill. It originally denoted a person who tended pigs or possibly a person with a pig-like nature, but over time this literal meaning has been lost. The name is found primarily in England and Ireland, with Australian, American, and Canadian descendants as well. Variations of the name include Pigot, Pigott, and Piggot. Like many surnames, over centuries, the meaning has become secondary to its value as a family identifier.

Pigott: Where does the name Pigott come from?

The last name Pigott is found today in many countries around the world, particularly in England, Ireland, and the United States.

The Pigott family has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The Angles were a Germanic tribe who settled in the British Isles during the 5th century. Their name is derived from the Old English words "piga", meaning a young pig, and "ott" meaning a little a house.

In England, the surname found its highest concentration in Cornwall, where it was most common at the time of the 1881 UK census. Other parts of the country with sizable populations included Devon, Suffolk, Oxfordshire, Kent, and Hampshire.

In Ireland, many Pigotts are descended from Anglo-Norman forces that settled in the country during the 12th century. These settlers were granted lands by the English Crown and established hundreds of plantations throughout the South and East of Ireland. The surname is most common in Kilkenny and Cork today.

In the United States, the Pigott surname can be found in many states, but it is most prominent in Massachusetts, where a large number of immigrants from England and Ireland first settled in the 19th century. After Massachusetts, the states with the highest concentrations of Pigott families are Michigan, New York, Connecticut and Iowa.

Variations of the surname Pigott

The Pigott surname can be spelled a number of different ways depending on its origin. In Ireland, the name is spelled Pigot, Pigott, Pygot, Pygott, Pigott, Pigotts, and Piggot. Other variations, such as Pigott, Pickett, and Pickard can also be found in Ireland. In England, Pigot is commonly seen as Pigott, though some bearers of the name also use Pigott and Pigott-Smith. The name Pigott is also found as an Americanized spelling of the Italian Pigotti. This version of the surname is commonly found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other eastern states. In Scotland, Pigott can be spelled Pickard, Pickett, and Piccard, though this is usually found in the northern regions. Other variations, such as Pikett, Pickit, Pykett, and Pigot can also be seen. Pigott can be spelled Pigot in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with Pigotti, Piggetti, Pighetti, and Pigottini being used in Italy. In Spain, the name is mostly found as Pigat or Pigati.

The Plant Name Database lists other surnames related to the Pigott variation, such as Piggot, Pinkett, Pickard, Pickardt, Pickates, Piggett, Pigott-Smith, and Piggott. These names are likely related through adoption, marriage, or immigration.

Overall, there is a great variety of spellings and surnames related to the Pigott name. This shows how the name has traveled across different countries and cultures throughout history, a testament to the family's long and well-traveled history.

Famous people with the name Pigott

• Anne Pigott: Canadian politician
• Brian Pigott: Retired British Army Officer and Military Historian
• Charles Pigott: Former Bishop of Oxford
• Christopher Pigott: British Actor
• Clement Pigott: English Actor
• David Pigott: British former soldier and cricketer
• Edward Pigott: British Costume and Set Designer
• Emily Pigott: Canadian painter
• Gary Pigott: British Actor
• George Pigott: Former Archbishop of York
• Hugh Pigott: British Olympic rower
• Matthew Pigott: English composer
• Peter Pigott: Former British Civil Servant
• Robert Pigott: British Air Chief Marshal
• Ronald Pigott: Canadian Politician
• Sarah Pigott: American Actress
• Stephen Pigott: British Politician
• Tom Pigott: British Television Director
• Wayne Pigott: American professional ice hockey player
• Danyelle Pigott: American podcaster and music journalist

Other surnames

Pigot