Show ContentsGegg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gegg

What does the name Gegg mean?

The name Gegg derives its origin from the Middle English word "gigge," which was a nickname for ‘a flighty, giddy girl.’ 1

Early Origins of the Gegg family

The surname Gegg was first found in Norfolk, England where William Gigan was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1198. This person may be related to Robert and William Gigan or Gigon, who were listed in Normandy in the same year according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 2 Thomas Geg was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk in 1205. Early records in Huntingdonshire show Walter le Geg in 1221 and later William Gegge was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1263. Alice la Gegges was found at Colchester in 1310. 1

Hugo Gigge was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Suffolk in 1220 1 and later again, Walter le Gig was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Norfolk c. 1272. 2

Early History of the Gegg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gegg research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1455, 1487, 1500, 1508, 1530, 1570 and 1572 are included under the topic Early Gegg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gegg Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Gegg has undergone many spelling variations, including Gedge, Gidge, Gigg, Gegg, Ginge, Genge and others.

Early Notables of the Gegg family

Distinguished members of the family include Margaret Giggs (1508-1570), birth name of Margaret Clement or Clements, understood to be one of the most educated women of the Tudor era. Born in Norfolk, her father was a gentleman but enlisted the aid of Sir Thomas More, who brought her up from a child with his own daughters. In 1530, she...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gegg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gegg family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gegg were among those contributors: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands. Many settled in Newfoundland..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)


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