Wiggall

This name is locational and derives from the ancient village of 'Wigga's Hill', now known as Wighill in Yorkshire. The origin is Olde English pre 9th century and there are no less than six recorded modern spellings of the name including Weigall, Weighell, Weighill, Wiggal etc. which is remarkable for such a small area. This suggests that some event struck the village causing a mass 'emigration' to other parts and hence a confusion of spelling. The cause is not known but may have been 'black death' or Farm Clearance. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Katerina de Wyghehale. which was dated 1379 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls. during the reign of King Richard 11 Richard of Bordeau 1378 - 1400. 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.