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Wigston Family History

Wigston Surname Meaning

Wigston Magna (Leics) is recorded as Wikingeston in 1191 and Wygston in 1457, while Wigston Parva (Leics) appears as Wicgestane in 1004 and Wigeston in 120. The etymology of Wigston Magna derives from the Old Scandinavian personal name Víkingr (genitive Víkings) combined with Old English tūn, meaning ‘farmstead estate’, alongside Latin magna, which means ‘great’. This naming convention serves to distinguish it from Wigston Parva.

On the other hand, Wigston Parva is derived from the Old English personal name Wicga (genitive Wicges) coupled with Old English stān, meaning ‘stone’, and Latin parva, translating to ‘small’. This differentiation emphasizes its status as the lesser of the two settlements.

The transition from the post-medieval form of -ston to -son is notable in local naming conventions. This linguistic shift is comparable to the name Sibson, highlighting regional variations in place names over time.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016

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Where is the Wigston family from?

You can see how Wigston families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wigston family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1851 and 1920. The most Wigston families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1911 there were 7 Wigston families living in Ontario. This was about 78% of all the recorded Wigston's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Wigston families in 1911.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wigston surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

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What Wigston family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Wigston. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wigston census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

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Passenger Lists

There are 379 immigration records available for the last name Wigston. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 194 military records available for the last name Wigston. For the veterans among your Wigston ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Wigston lifespan?

Between 1976 and 2001, in the United States, Wigston life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1976, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Wigston in 1976 was 54, and 92 in 2001.

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