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Wigan Family History

Wigan Name 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


Similar surnames: Wogan, Wiman, Wigand, Wigen, Wigal, Wien, Organ, Gan, Fagan, Qian

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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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 1880 there were 13 Wigan families living in Minnesota. This was about 24% of all the recorded Wigan's in USA. Minnesota had the highest population of Wigan families in 1880.
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 1940, Typist was the top reported job for people in the USA named Wigan. 34% of Wigan women worked as a Typist. .

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 Female Occupations In 1940

  • Typist
    34%
  • Machine Operator
    34%
  • Clerk
    34%
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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 US 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 USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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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.

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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

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