Begg Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Begg Family History

Begg Family History

The family history of the ancient name Begg was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. The name Begg is usually of Irish and Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word 'beag' meaning 'small' and describing a person of small stature. Nicknames such as this defined a physical feature, character, a favored style of clothing or from animals, birds, flowers or a color. Another type of Nickname refers to the bearers ethnic rather than geographical origin. In Ireland and in Cork especially the name can be of Norman origin, from the name Bueg, while in Ulster the name can also be of immigrant origin from the names Bigge and Big, and which in turn has many variants. This name and its variants were introduced into Ulster Province by settlers who arrived from England and Scotland, especially during the seventeenth century. Over the centuries many variants of this name have developed including Beg, Begge, Begson, Bigson, Biggeson, Beggan, Beggin and many others. A very early record of the name refers to a Malcolm Begge who was the 'Seneschal of Maldoweny' and who was recorded in the 'Records of Levenax' in the year 1225. The Begg family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Begg descendants.