This is an unusual English surname. It derives from the Norse-Viking personal name 'Sigegor', and translating as 'victory-spear', which seems appropriate for invaders! The origin is pre 7th century when the first of these invasions took place, and the modern surname spellings include Segins, Sigge and Siggee, Segyn and Sygges. The name has also provided the prefix for such names as Sigfrid, Sigward and Sigmund found as both personal and surnames. After the Norman Invasion of 1066, 'names', there were no surnames at that time, which were from the days of Old England, were generally not considered politically correct, and these were replaced, firstly by French names such as William and Henry, and later by Christian names, such as John or David. This name therefore is one of a small and select group which survived, possibly because it was prominent in Dorset, a county which in those days was far from the centre of social and political activity. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Aunketillus Sigge. This was dated 1214, in the Pipe Rolls of Dorset, during the reign of King John, known as Lackland 1199 - 1216. 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.

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