Recorded in a number of spellings as shown below, this is regarded as an English surname, but ultimatekly is one of pre 7th century Norse-Viking origins. It derives from the personal name "Saegar", which translates as "sea-spear". This type of compound baptismal name was one of a group which survived the Norman Invasion of 1066, partly because the Normans themselves had Norse origins, and partly because of its 'heroic' translation, and its implication of great deeds. The surname itself is not surprisingly one of the earliest on record, dating back to at least the Domesday Book and possibly earlier, although we have not found any proven recordings in public records. Other early recordings include Ralph Segar in the Curia Regis rolls of Bedfordshire in the year 1207, Eluia Sigers in the Curia Regis rolls for Norfolk in 1221, and Johannes Saghhers in the Poll Tax rolls in Yorkshire in 1379. The main diminutive spellings from the basic Sagar or Segar are Siggen and Siggin, and the patronymics Saggers, Seegers, Siggs, Siggars, Siggens, Siggers and Siggins. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be Edricus Sigarus in the famous Domesday Book of England in 1086 in the reign of King William 1st, 1066 - 1087. 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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