Newdigate (surname)

The surname Newdigate is an English toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It originates from the village of Newdigate in Surrey, England.

Origin and Meaning:

The place name "Newdigate" is believed to derive from the Old English words "nēowe" (new) and "delfgeat" (digging gate or entrance to a mine or quarry). Therefore, the name suggests a "new entrance to a diggings" or a "new quarry gate."

Distribution:

Historically and currently, the surname Newdigate is most commonly found in England, particularly in Surrey and surrounding counties. Emigration has spread the name to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable People:

• Sir Roger Newdigate (1719-1806): An English politician and antiquarian, best known as the founder of the Newdigate Prize at the University of Oxford, an annual poetry prize.

Variations:

Variations of the surname may include Newdegate.

Heraldry:

Families bearing the Newdigate surname may have a coat of arms associated with their lineage. Heraldic symbols and descriptions vary depending on the specific family line.