Sigginstown Castle

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The Siggins Family - Founders of Sigginstown

Heraldry associated with: Siggeston, Segheston, Siggstone, Sigheston:

Argent, an eagle displayed double headed sable armed gules.  The above flag was recreated from an extant version in Germany circa 1500. 

Where did they come from? Siggins name originally of Norse descent (Colfer) but settled in Norfolk, Dorset and Suffolk (England) and Wales. 

Origins of the Siggins Family in North Yorkshire & England:

There are other Sigginstown-like placenames in the UK: Sig(h)estun 1086 Domesday Book; Siggestune, Siggeston 1474YD, 1088 LVD; sigeston (a) Sygeston (a) 1414 YI, 1291 Tax 12 RegAlb; Siggeston 1204 ChR; Siggheston 1208-10


In 1197 the Baronia Anglica  reign of King Richard I says: the  rent of the manors of the (Norfolk) Bishopric, the tallage of the Manors the aids of churches and parsons, the pensions of the churches, the fines of clerks, escuage of knights, fines of sergeants, fines for lands, issues of the baronies go wit, the Barony of Giles… Sigeston and Holton


Several Siggins references can be found in medieval documents  from 1300-1500 in northeast England.  Thomas Sygon in 1316 with manor of Repinghale and Thomas Sygon in 1489 Kings Lynn Norfolk. This is interesting because the "Thomas" first name is also listed in Wexford later. This could be coincidence or a repeated family name handed down in generations like so many others in the area.

We also found this reference to a grave or memorial marker but have been unable to find a photo or validate the reference: Segheston : Eagle armed azure Sikeston, Segastain; Brasted Church, Kent. There are also several Siggins references in medieval documents from 1300-1500 in northeast England. Thomas Sygon in 1316 with manor of Repinghale and Thomas Sygon in 1489 Kings Lynn Norfolk.

In 2018, Liz ventured to Kirby Sigston, near York in the UK where there was Sigston Castle with license to crenellate in 1336. This castle was also called Beresende and was quite large (only earthworks remain today) We don't know if these Siggins were related to the Irish Siggins but since there are not that many in the world it is possible!. York was a big Viking settlement also.  She returned a year later to visit the church where the arms of the Siggins (the imperial eagle) can be seen in the Norman Church window. Take a tour of both the village and church below!

Origins of the Siggins Family in South Wales - Glamorgan

In south Wales there is also a Sigginston “Merchion Hir, son of Griffith, the son of Ithel, Lord of Sigginston and Landow who bore quarterly, or and gules, four helmets azure and argent.” Also Hugh Sygin as a Llantwit (Glamorgan Juror) (Iolo manuscripts: selection of Ancient Welsh Manuscripts Thomas Price 1848) From this reference we chose to use a Norman Helmet, similar to that of the Norman Way as a reference to the possible origin of the Siggins family from South Wales.


Also listed in the Iolo manuscripts (selection of Ancient Welsh Manuscripts by Thomas Price, 1848): In 1558 Blanche Carne  (a coincidence to the Wexford Carne? ) marries Griffth Grant of Tresiggin, or Sigginston - from Siggins family who come in late 12th or early 13th century to Glamorgan, Wales (this reference does not clarify how this is known, or from where they came).

Searching for Siggins in Siginstone, Wales

In October 2018 Liz travelled to Glamorgan, in the south of Wales, to investigate Siginstone and Cowbridge. There are many family names there that are duplicates or original Norman-Welsh-settlers in Wexford. The Siggins are documented in Llantwit Major and Siginstone, Wales before the 13th century, but seem to have disappeared by the 16th century. Liz theorizes that they relocated in Wexford...

Siggins Family in Ireland and Wexford

The Siggins are noted to be in Bannow, Wexford where the original Anglo-Norman landing occurred in 1197.  They are not listed in documents as holding original land grants or knight's fees in the 12th century. It not known exactly when they settled in Ireland, and when they turned up in Tacumshane. Since the name may indeed by Norse, we could be on the wrong track, and eventually find they settled directly from Norway or perhaps Normandy! For now we follow the suggested trails left by other people like Billy Colfer and Herbert Hore who had a deep history and experience with the local history. 

Du Noyer sketched the  gravestone of John Colfer and Anna Siggins in Bannow in the 19th century. The tomb style is 13th century but the writing is thought to be 15th century. In Ireland there are examples of other effigies with old clothing styles but which date from 100 years later, so it is hard to know when the real date is.  The stone is now badly eroded.


To the right is the "Ancient House of Siggins, also by Du Noyer, and in the downland of Newtown, opposite Bannow Island.

Herbert Hore writes that In 1342 (Memoranda Rolls, 16 Edw. III) Thomas Syggen, David fitz David, Nicholas fitz Gerald de Rupe (Roche), and Adam Avereys were the sureties for Richard Whitty, formerly sheriff of the County, who were called on to produce him before the Barons of the Exchequer at Dublin, to render an account of his office. Mem. Rolls, 1368, mentions Roesia Sygyn, wife of John Hay. They were the sureties for Symon Neville, fined for contempt.


From a "Genealogical Gleanings of Siggins, and Other Pennsylvania Families..." published in 1918, we read that in Ireland there was a James Siggins born c. 1300, Sons Richard & Philip. Philip of Wexford born 1350? Richard Siggins, Mayor of Cork in 1386 buys grain in Wexford to transport to Cork due to famine. We do not know where this information came from. 


There seems to be a relationship between Siggins to Jigginstown, Co. Kildare, and Bothar na Sigineach (Road of the Sigginses) in Limerick


Hore: In 1342 (Memoranda Rolls, 16 Edw. III) Thomas Syggen, David fitz David, Nicholas fitz Gerald de Rupe (Roche), and Adam Avereys were the sureties for Richard Whitty, formerly sheriff of the County, who were called on to produce him before the Barons of the Exchequer at Dublin, to render an account of his office. Mem. Rolls, 1368, mentions Roesia Sygyn, wife of John Hay. They were the sureties for Symon Neville, fined for contempt.


Prior to the tower, which seems to date from early 1500s, the fields around Sigginstown are in use and we have found medieval remains and ditches which relate to the 14thcentury. When the tower is built by the Siggins, there is probably an earlier hall house detached.


Thomas Siggins (c 1547) recovers against Robert Roche of Tamon, reversion of Walshgrange, Corbally, Knockbrake, Ballyronan/Mageston, Church of Culstone and Tamon


Thomas Siggins (? -1596)


Mathew Siggins holds Ecclestown, Sigginstown, Corbally (Sigginshaggard) marries Margaret Codd who is still living in 1633. Matthew Dies on December 24th 1629. Son is Philip?


Richard Siggins? Inherits 120 acres at Sigginston including water mill? Marries Margaret Sinot, survives and living in 1634


Philip Siggins was ward of King aged 12, died between 1634/1641 with no issue.


Edward Siggins (<1641 - >1691) Inherited lands of brother Philip including106 (Plantation) acres at Sigginstowne, 44 acres in Atlistowne & Rochland (now Ballyhiho townland), 24 plantation acres (Sigginshaggard? –townland of Martinstowne Parish of Ballibrennan). Attainted of high treason after 1641 rebellion, transplanted to Mayo in 1654. Given a grant of lands of in Balla parish. Filed in Chancery on June 11 1690 to reclaim Wexford estates stating his long lineage, Norman blood, refraining from intermarrying with “mere Irish”. Edward’s son settles in Sligo.

In the 19thcentury descendants of these Siggins emigrate to America and Australia…

Siggins in other places...

Click here tThere are still some Siggins today in Wexford, most in Sligo (descended from Edward of Balla), and many emigrated in 1800s to United States (Pennsylvania) and Australia. Thanks to the many Siggins family members we have heard from across the globe! You are welcome to visit!


The Siggins Family emigrants from Sligo to Australia in 1867



Tony Siggins Genealogy tree showing the emigration of his branch of the Siggins Family from Sligo to Australia in 1867.