Surname Rigsbee - Meaning and Origin

Rigsbee: What does the surname Rigsbee mean?

The surname Rigsbee is thought to be of English origin, possibly derived from a place name. There are differing opinions on its exact origin, but it is likely that it comes from an old English word or phrase. Many English surnames were derived from geographical features or occupations, and Rigsbee could possibly be one of them. One possibility is that it's derived from "Ridge's By", meaning "Ridge's Village" in old English. However, no definitive origin has been established. The spelling of such names has also changed over time based on regional dialects and phonetics. Today, it is found primarily in the United States, especially in the southeastern regions. It is less common in the United Kingdom where it likely originated. As a surname, it does not inherently have a defined meaning, unlike some first names. It carries significance in denoting familial connections and heritage.

Rigsbee: Where does the name Rigsbee come from?

The surname Rigsbee is most commonly found today in the United States, Australia, and England. In the US, the surname is most heavily concentrated in the states of North Carolina and Virginia; there are also smaller concentrations throughout the rest of the South, as well as West Virginia and Maryland. In Australia, the largest concentrations of Rigsbee are in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. In England, most Rigsbees are found in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, and Nottinghamshire.

In the US, the first known bearer of the surname, Colonel Arthur Rigsbee, settled in Virginia in the late 1600s. From there, the Rigsbee family spread to other parts of the South, as evidenced by the many people who bear the surname in North Carolina today. In recent years, some of the descendants of the original Rigsbee family have spread to other areas, including California and Oregon.

Rigsbees are also found in England, with the earliest known ancestor, James Rigsbee, thought to have arrived there in the 1730s. In Australia, the first known Rigsbees arrived in the late 1800s, likely from England.

Today, the surname Rigsbee is thought to be a relatively uncommon one, but still used by thousands of people around the world. In addition to those directly descended from the original Rigsbee families, many people have adopted the name since its first introduction.

Variations of the surname Rigsbee

The Rigsbee surname has many related variants, spellings and surnames such as Rigbee, Risbee, Rigby, Rigbie, Rygbee, Rygsbee, Ryggsbee, Ragisby, Ragbee, Regesby, Richesby and many more.

The origin of the Rigsbee surname is believed to have come from either the Old English and Old Norse regions of Great Britain. In Old English, the surname is of locational origin, derived from the Middle English Riggesbe or Rigesbe, meaning "ridge of the bee." In Old Norse, the surname could be derived from the Old Norse personal name Rig, meaning "ruler," combined with by, meaning "village," or bee, meaning "bee."

The spelling variations of the surname have been evident since the Middle Ages when early scribes and church officials attempted to record the name as it sounded, which often lead to discrepancies in the spellings. Further spelling variations of this surname were caused by a lack of understanding of the English language or religious reasons.

Due to the commonality of the Rigsbee surname, some families have taken extra steps to identify their particular lineage. Some common variations to the surname include adding a "genetic marker." Common markers include the middle initial of the person, a father or mother's given name, or other family nicknames.

Today, the Rigsbee surname is still found in many parts of the world including the United States, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Rigsbee

• Steve Rigsbee: Professional Call of Duty Player
• Jeff Rigsbee: Actor
• Harry Rigsbee: Actor
• David Rigsbee: Film Director
• Adam Rigsbee: Olympic Athlete
• Joe Rigsbee: Professional Tennis Player
• Laurie Rigsbee: Professional Snowboarder
• Carly Rigsbee: Actress
• Jeff Rigsbee: Musician
• Geena Rigsbee: Pop Singer
• Tommy Rigsbee: Musician
• Dan Rigsbee: Producer
• Logan Rigsbee: YouTube Personality
• Adam Rigsbee: Coho Fisherman
• Chad Rigsbee: Radio Host
• Gerald Rigsbee: Baseball Player
• Faith Rigsbee: YouTube Star
• Isaac Rigsbee: Politician
• Tom Rigsbee: Automotive Entrepreneur
• Ashley Rigsbee: Voice Actress

Other surnames

Rigsby