VIGGERS
Viggers is a surname of English provenance, with etymological roots that may be traced back to both Old Norse and Old French linguistic traditions. The name is recorded in the deed of King Henry I as Richard Vigur in 1224, indicating an early presence in medieval London.
In one tradition the surname derives from the medieval given name Vigor, itself inherited from the Old Norse personal name Víga-Hárr which translates as “battle-army” or “warrior.” In this context Viggers would have been a patronymic form meaning “son of Vigor,” a common practice in medieval England for establishing familial identity.
Another line of origin stems from the Norman influence that arrived after the Conquest of 1066. Here the name appears in early records as Vigrus and Viger, derived from Old French vigoro(u)s, itself a derivative of Latin vigere meaning “to flourish.” Early examples of the surname include Walter Le Vigrus of Worcester in the 1227 assize rolls, Peter Viger in the 1284 London rolls, Henry Vigeros of Worcestershire in 1275, William Vigerus in Oxfordshire in 1279, William Vigerous in London in 1305 and Lewis Vigures of Devonshire in the 1598 Oxford University register.
Throughout the centuries the surname has appeared in several orthographic variants, including Vigar, Viger, Viggars, Viggers, Vigo(u)rs, Vigurs and the rare Vigrass. Church registers record individuals such as Thomas Vigars, who married Mary Botte at the Church of Holy Trinity, Stratford‑on‑Avon, on 28 August 1588, and William Vigar, whose daughter Elizabeth was christened at St Brides, Fleet Street, on 6 September 1648. An unusual Christian name found in these records is ‘Vesselah’.
The heraldic arms most commonly associated with the Viggers family are blazoned as per fess gold and black, six lions rampant counterchanged – three lions placed above the fess, two below, and one at the centre. This design reflects the martial connotations inherent in the name’s Norse origin.
Statistical evidence indicates that the surname is relatively uncommon and is concentrated primarily in the southern counties of England. Its rarity and distinct historical pathways make it a subject of interest for genealogical and onomastic scholars alike. The combination of Norse and French influences, along with its documented early usage, provides a coherent and well‑substantiated narrative for the provenance of the surname Viggers.
Typical given names associated with the Viggers surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Frederick
- Ian
- James
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Thomas
Female
- Barbara
- Catherine
- Jean
- Julie
- Katherine
- Katie
- Lesley
- Sarah
- Suzanne
- Winifred
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Viggers in...
Braille
⠧⠊⠛⠛⠑⠗⠎
Morse
...-..--.--...-....
Semaphore
There are approximately 411 people named Viggers in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Viggers.
Famous people named Viggers
- Freddie Viggers - Army general
- Peter Viggers - Politician
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.