Boggs

This is an ancient and honourable surname found in the spellings of Boggers, Boggas, Boggis and Boggs, of which the later is the usual spelling. All are rare, even in Yorkshire, which was probably its original 'home'. The name derives from the Middle English (12th century) word 'bogeys', and as such it was a nickname for 'bold' person. The precise meaning of 'bold' in 13th century terms was certainly not the same as the 20th century. It implied somebody who was 'a character' or 'a likely lad', and was clearly complimentary. The surnames Bogey(s) or Bogie(s) survives in their own right, particularly in Yorkshire. One of the earliest recordings is that of John Bogays of Wakefield in 1301, whilst in 1309 William Bogace is recorded in the same city. By 1327 it was recorded in East Anglia, William Bogges being so recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk. Subsequently in many different spellings, the surname did achieve considerable popularity in the region. Other recordings include Nicholas Bogges of Somerset in 1377, and somewhat later Robert Boggas of Stratford, Suffolk, in June 1562, and Guye Boggish of Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, in 1623. On April 12th 1655, William Boggis was recorded at All Saints, Sudbury, Suffolk, whilst on June 3rd 1707, Isac Boggis as spelt, was a witness at the christening of his son, also Isac, at All Saints Church, Norwich. A Coat of Arms was been granted in East Anglia, the date is believed to be circa 1680. It has the blazon of- per chevron, red and silver, three crescents counterchanged. The crest is a single sail. The arms suggest a navigator who gained success over the infidel. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elyas Bogeys, which was dated 1260, The Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as 'The Frenchman', 1216 - 1272. 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.