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Wigan Family History

Wigan Surname Meaning

from Wigan (Lancs) which is recorded as Wigan in 1199 and Wigayn in 1245. The origin of the place-name is uncertain but it may be a reduction of an earlier name composed of a Proto-Welsh element perhaps *treβ ‘homestead settlement’ + the Welsh personal name Wigan;

Wigan in Anglesey appears to have a similar origin. Some early bearer examples may belong under (2). variant of Wiggins.

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


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Where is the Wigan family from?

You can see how Wigan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wigan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1861 and 1920. The most Wigan families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 39 Wigan families living in Lancashire. This was about 30% of all the recorded Wigan's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Wigan families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wigan 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 did your Wigan ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Wigan. 100% of Wigan men worked as a Farmer and 60% of Wigan women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Wigan | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Farmer
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    60%
  • Private Means
    34%
  • Incapacitated
    8%

What Wigan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 6,000 census records available for the last name Wigan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wigan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wigan

Passenger Lists

There are 900 immigration records available for the last name Wigan. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Wigan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 209 military records available for the last name Wigan. For the veterans among your Wigan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wigan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Wigan family history

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What is the average Wigan lifespan?

Between 1973 and 2001, in the United States, Wigan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Wigan in 1973 was 45, and 91 in 2001.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Wigan

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Wigan ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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