Widger

There are two possible origins for this unusual name. Firstly, that it derives from the Old English "Wihtgar" elf-spear and secondly as a modern variant of Wicher. This name is itself a derivation of the French Guichard, from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements "migi", war and "hard" meaning brave, hardy or strong. There are many dialectual variants of this name, e.g. Wiggert, Wickert, Wiggers etc. One of the many recordings, of the name found in Devon is of one "Anne Widger" who married a "Robert Jagoe" in St. Andrews Church Plymouth. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ordic Wihgar, which was dated c.1095, Feudal Documents from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds (Suffolk), during the reign of King William II "Rufus", 1087 - 1100. 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.