Rigdon Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Rigdon Origin:

England

Origins of Rigdon:

The surname of Rigdon is a locational surname that comes from the country of England. Since the surname of Ridgon is said to be a locational surname, this means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Rigdon, the locations from which the original bearers of the surname would have hailed are spread throughout the country of England. The most prominent location from which the surname of Rigdon derives can be traced to the lost village of Rigden, which was said to be located in the county of Kent. The word itself can be traced to the Old English Pre 7th Century word of “ric” which can be translated to mean “a stream,” and the addition of the word of “denu” which can be translated to mean “a valley.” Another possible origin of the surname of Rigdon is that it is a topographical surname. A topographical surname is used to describe someone who lived on or near a residential landmark. This landmark could be either man made or natural, and would have been easily identifiable in the area from which it hailed, thus making the people who lived near it easily distinguished. In the case of the surname of Rigdon, those who lived on or near a valley with a stream running through it would have been given this surname.

Variations:

More common variations are: Ridodon, Riegdon, Rigadon, Rigaudon, Rigden, Regdon, Ragdon, Rogdon, Rigdan, Rigton, Rikdon, Rigdin, Regodon, Ragodon, Regudon

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Rigdon can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of Richard Rikedoun was mentioned in the document known as the Assize Rolls of the county of Kent in the year of 1317. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward II, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as one “Edward of Caernafon.” King Edward II of England ruled from the year of 1307 to the year of 1327. Other mentions of the surname of Rigdon in the country of England include one Amos Rigdon who was baptized in the year of 1563, and one Samuel Rigdon who was christened in the year of 1565. Both of these baptisms occurred in Kent, where a large majority of those who bear the surname of Rigdon are found.

United States of America:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Rigdon in the United States was one Charlotte Rigdon who arrived in America in 1903.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Rigdon: United States 5,748; Canada 9; Kazakhstan 2; Iraq 1; Kuwait 1; Mexico 1; India 1

Notable People:

Robley S. Rigdon, who served as a Brigadier General in the National Guard in Georgia, and who was from America.

Commander William M. Rigdon (1904-1991) who served as the Assistant Naval Aide in the United States White House from the year of 1942 to the year of 1953.

Kevin Rigdon (born in 1956) who was a two-time Tony Award winner, and a four-time Drama Desk Award winner, and was a scenic designer and lighting designer from America.

Paul David Rigdon (born in 1975) who was a former MLB, also known as Major League Baseball, pitcher who played from the year of 2000 to the year of 2001, and who was from America.

Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) who was a leader during the early stages of the Latter Day Saint, also known as LDS, movement, and who was from America.

Jay Rigdon, who served as a Candidate for the U.S. Representative from the state of Indiana in the 3rd District in the year of 2002, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

Charles L. Rigdon, who served as an Attorney in Wyoming in the year of 1914 to the year of 1921, and who was a politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

(Dowsby, co. Lincoln). Or, on a pile engrailed azure three crosses crosslet fitchee of the first. Crest—A cock’s head proper combed and wattled gules beaked or.