This is an English locational surname. It originates either from Brigshaw in the West Riding of Yorkshire, a village whose meaning is the 'bridge in the wood', from the pre 7th century Olde English 'bryggia-scaga', or it is from some now 'lost' medieval site, of which the only public memory in the late 20th century, would seem to the the surviving surname. As Brigginshaw and Brigshaw share exactly the same meaning, either option is possible. It is a well known fact that at least three thousand surviving surnames of the British Isles originate from 'lost' villages, so whilst this is still an unusual feature, it is not unique. Furthermore the surname is locational. By implication this suggests a name which is a 'from' name. That is to say a name that was given to somebody after they left their original homes, to move elsewhere. The easiest way to identify such 'strangers,' was to call them by the name of the place from whence they came. Spelling being at best erratic, and local dialects very thick, soon lead to the development of 'sounds like' forms. In this case examples of the surname recordings in surviving church registers include Elyzabeth Briginshaw in the registers of the city of London. She was christened at St Brides church, Fleet Street, on July 23rd 1618, whilst somewhat nearer to its original home, William Brigshawe was christened at St Peters church, Leeds, on October 30th 1832.

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