I am searching for possible Dutch Protestant Ancestors that fled to England in 1621 to escape religious persecution.

Question

I am searching for possible Dutch Protestant Ancestors that, according to my family oral history, emigrated from Holland to England in 1621 to escape from religious persecution. They worked draining the low-lying marshes in South East Essex, England. My name is Jiggens, for over 260 years my quite religious Protestant family have lived, worked on the land as labourers and bred in this area. There have been many variations of the Jiggens spelling in my Tree. Could my Ancestors have been Dutch Jeggens or similar?  I would be very grateful for any help finding them, I miss them.

Answer 1

This website suggests a Cornish or Breton origin for the name, rather than Dutch:https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Jiggens

The story is plausible, but the only way to prove it would be to trace the family back to 1621.

In 1619 there was the Synod of Dort in the Netherlands. This conference resolved religious disputes between Calvinists and Arminians in favour of the former. Arminians, who in the Netherlands are known as the Remonstrant Church, suffered prosecution. The mainstream, anti-Puritan faction of the Church of England was Arminian.

How old is this family story?

Answer 2

Hi Abm,

Thanks very much for your detailed answer.

Yes, the surname website does seem to suggest a Cornish or Breton link, but my family oral history, since at least my Great Grandfather's time has always suggested a Dutch origin.

Also, my recent Ancestry and FamilySearch research has discovered some Jeggens (eg Israel Jeggens) in Holland in the late 1500s and early 1600s.

I am really stuck on my family tree trying to get further back in time than Thomas Jiggins, b1761 in Essex. I must have an error somewhere or have missed something.

Dank u wel,

David