Surname Riggsbee - Meaning and Origin

Riggsbee: What does the surname Riggsbee mean?

The surname Riggsbee is of British origin, more specifically tied to northern England. It could be considered a variant of the surname Rigby, popular in Lancashire. The meaning of Rigby derives from Old Norse words "hryggr," meaning ridge, and "byr," meaning farm or settlement. Therefore, the surname essentially translates to a dweller or one from the farm or settlement on the ridge. It is a locational surname, thus was likely given to people based on their geographical location or the place they originated from. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation led to the creation of different versions of the same name. Riggsbee is believed to be one such variation. It is crucial to remember interpretations of surnames can differ, and meanings can become lost or altered over time and migration.

Riggsbee: Where does the name Riggsbee come from?

The last name Riggsbee is most common in the United States today. According to the 2020 US Census, this surname is found in nearly 1,300 households across American states such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

It is unclear where the surname originated from, however, its usage in America could be traced back to North and South Carolina. The earliest known recorded mentions of the name in these states date back to the 1700s. At that time, indicator surname maps suggest that the bearers of this name mainly resided in the central parts of South Carolina. Family records suggest that the name can also be traced back to England, where its earliest known usage can be dated back to the 15th century.

Currently, Riggsbee has spread out across the other states and even into neighbouring countries, like Canada. Interestingly, the last name is understood to mean “Ridge ofbees” in Old English, further connecting its usage to the location of its earliest known American settlers.

Today, the surname Riggsbee is a rare given name. Currently, it ranks at 28,406th most popular name in the United States. Generally, it is more common as a last name than a first.

Variations of the surname Riggsbee

The surname Riggsbee is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English word "Rig" meaning "shrill" or "joyful," combined with "by," meaning "farmstead" or "homestead." Variants of the surname include Riggby, Rigsby, Rigby, and Rigbee.

Riggsbee is a fairly uncommon surname, however there are many other surnames with similar spellings or derivations. Some of these surnames include Rigg, Riggle, Rigley, Schooler, Shuler, and Richbee. Each of these surnames either originated from similar Germanic words or have the same etymological root as the Riggsbee surname.

The spelling of German surnames, especially the variants of the Riggsbee surname, can be attributed to different regional dialects and a lack of standardization. This means that the proper spelling of the surname can vary. Spellings of the surname such as Reiche, Reicke, and Reicher are of German origin and are traceable to the Middle Ages, when surnames often varied from one region to another.

Variations of the Riggsbee name also exist in other countries, such as Scotland, where the spelling has been altered to Riggsy or Ricksee, or in Ireland, where the surname is spelled as Riggshee or Rigbee.

In conclusion, the Riggsbee surname has several variants, spellings and related surnames from around the world, and it is likely that the proper spelling of the surname may differ depending on the region it is found in.

Famous people with the name Riggsbee

• Julian Riggsbee, an American goalkeeper who plays for the expansion franchise Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.
• Dave Riggsbee, an award-winning videographer, editor, composer, and educator.
• Hazen Riggsbee, an American rugby union player who represented the United States at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
• Kira Riggsbee, an American diplomat who was nominated in December 2016 by President Obama to serve as US Ambassador to the Republic of Congo.
• Kristy Riggsbee, an Olympian skier who competed in six World Cup events and was a member of the US Ski Team from 2000-2001.
• Sam Riggsbee, an endurance cyclist who holds two Guinness World Records including fastest unsupported bike trip across the US.
• Crystal Riggsbee, a professional BMX rider who has competed on the BMX World Cup Circuit since she was twelve years old.
• Whit Riggsbee, an American journalist, essayist, and author of seven books on faith in contemporary life.
• Marin Riggsbee, a cancer survivor and philanthropist who founded and runs the Makani Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting cancer research.
• Davey Riggsbee, a professional fisherman and outdoorsman who hosts the popular TV show “Reelin’ ‘N’ Dealin’.”

Other surnames

Riggsby