This very unusual name is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and derives from the Old English pre 7th Century given name "Lig(ge)", a short, "pet" form of the name "Ligulf", composed of the Old English elements "Lig", spear-shaft, and "wulf", wolf. The modern surnames Liggin, Liggen and Liggon are diminutive forms of Lig, meaning "Little Lig", and the modern forms Liggins, Liggens, and Liggons are the patronymics, meaning "son of Little Lig". The surname is found mainly in the Midland counties of Warwickshire and Leicestershire. The development of the name includes Eliza Leggens (1615, London), and Hester Lyggin (1639, Painswick, Gloucestershire). The christening of Samuel Liggins was recorded on July 4th 1682, at Harborough Magna in Warwickshire, and Elizabeth Liggins and John Dardow were married at St. James's, Dukes Place, London, on July 31st 1688. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Isabell Liggons (christening), which was dated June 9th 1605, Wolston, Warwickshire, during the reign of King James 1 of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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