Ireland
The Bigger Family Branches
Covenanters
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A Legend and a Timeline
According to legend, some of the Biggars—at least three brothers believed to be related to Herbert Biggar of Barbuie—fled to Ireland around 1640, said to have arrived in port aboard a royal ship with banners flying. This dramatic tale has long been tied to the name of Claverhouse, a figure infamous for his persecution of Covenanters. However, historical records show that John Graham of Claverhouse (later known as “Bonnie Dundee”) wasn’t born until 1648 and didn’t begin his role in policing southwest Scotland until the 1670s.
While Claverhouse may indeed have driven some of our ancestors from Scotland, it would not have been until after 1670. Those who fled around 1640 were likely part of the early wave of Covenanters—a 17th-century Scottish religious and political movement that stood firmly in support of a Presbyterian Church and the authority of its ministers. The name “Covenanter” comes from the biblical idea of a covenant, or sacred agreement, with God.
The Rise of the Covenanters
The origins of the Covenanter movement can be traced to escalating disputes with King James VI & I and his son, Charles I, over the structure and doctrine of the Scottish Church. In 1638, in defiance of Charles’s attempts to impose Anglican-style reforms on the kirk, thousands of Scots signed the National Covenant—vowing to uphold Presbyterian worship and resist royal interference.
This act of religious and political defiance sparked a series of conflicts known as the Bishops’ Wars. The first of these began in May 1639, marking the start of the Wars of the Covenant. The First Bishops’ War was largely fought in northeastern Scotland, and by 1640, the Covenanters had achieved military success, gaining control over much of the country.
From Scotland to Ireland – and Beyond
Historical records indicate that several Biggar brothers fled Nithsdale, Scotland, and settled in Belfast and County Antrim, Ireland. Among them were Michael, John, James, and William—and possibly Hugh Biggar, who may have been a brother or cousin. Between 1640 and 1660, some members of the family left Ireland for America, carrying with them land charters and the hope of new beginnings.
The Irish Legacy
Those who remained in Ireland did not merely endure—they thrived. Establishing themselves as landowners, merchants, and respected members of their communities, the Biggars in Antrim and Belfast helped shape the fabric of Irish society. Their resilience, hard work, and adaptability became hallmarks of the family’s legacy in Ireland. Over generations, the Biggars grew not only in number but in stature, becoming proudly Irish while still remembering their Scottish origins.
On the first of July 1654, Michael and John were admitted and "sworne" free Commoners and in 1662 Michael Biggar became part-owner of the Good Ship Unicorne of Belfast.
"An entry close to the old Market House in High Street was long - known as “Bigger's Entry,” and had formerly been the entrance to the family residence, which was built at some distance from the street; subsequently premises were added in front, which remained in the occupation of the family till 1830. At Biggerstown the whole district was in their possession at one period, and they still own a considerable portion."
Nithsdale
Valley of the River Nith, Dumfries & Galloway
A Compelling Link
In the 1680 will of John Biggar of Belfast, he refers to a debt owed to “Thomas Biggar of Erwin in ye Kingdome of Scotland.” The name Erwin—a historical variation—may refer to the parish of Irving in Dumfriesshire, or to Irvine in Strathclyde or Ayrshire, with “Irvine” itself meaning “green river.” This mention offers strong evidence of a connection between the Biggars of Nithsdale and those who settled in Belfast.
Although the will does not specify the relationship between brothers John and William and Thomas Biggar of Scotland, it stands as a significant clue—suggesting familial ties and offering a valuable lead for future research into the family's early migration and lineage.
The Children of Herbert II of Barbuie
David Biggar (c. 1643), the fourth son of Herbert II of Barbuie, fled to Ireland during the mid-17th century but eventually returned to Scotland. He died on November 28, 1699, and is buried at Irongray, Kirkcudbright. David left no known descendants. His brothers, James and William, sought refuge within Scotland itself, settling in the border region of Selkirk.
This branch of the Biggar family is relatively well documented, with one notable exception: Hosea, another son of Herbert II. Hosea is mentioned in his father's will, but curiously, he is absent from his sister Joan's will and from other known records. This silence suggests two possibilities: Hosea may have died young, or perhaps he fled Scotland and changed his name. At present, I'm leaning toward the latter, as the name Hosea appears repeatedly in one specific line of the Biggar family in Ireland. To date, I have found no other explanation or connection for the continued use of this uncommon name.
Biggar's of Edinburgh
Thomas Biggar, born in 1662 and the son of Major John Biggar of Woolmet (near Edinburgh), fled to Ireland and eventually settled in County Cork, where he worked as a schoolmaster in Auchadown. Beyond this, little else is known about Thomas—a quiet figure in the historical record whose story still invites further discovery.
The story of Major John Biggar’s estate, however, is far from quiet. Upon his death in 1682, Major Biggar willed his estate of Woolmet, near Dalkeith, to a minor named William Wallace. The bequest was conditional: Wallace would inherit the land only if he assumed the Biggar name and coat of arms. He did so, becoming William Wallace Biggar of Woolmet.
The decision sparked immediate controversy. A branch of the Biggar family in Ireland challenged the validity of the will, asserting their own claim to the estate. Although the will was upheld in court, tensions escalated. Sir Hugh Wallace, acting as administrator for his son William, attempted to take possession of the land, only to be met with violent resistance. A riot broke out, prompting intervention from the Privy Council. Several of the rioters were arrested, and others were subjected to public scourging to quell the unrest.
Court Document related to the rioting!
One historical source claims that Major John Biggar died without male heirs, but we now know this is incorrect. While it appears that he disowned his male heirs, sending some of them to Ireland, others clearly remained in the Edinburgh area. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear.
According to the same source, Major Biggar married his daughter to William Wallace, a nephew of Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie, a Lord of Session and Justice. Upon this marriage, William Wallace assumed both the name and estate of Woolmet. Though this act solidified the Wallace-Biggar alliance, it also fueled controversy. The inheritance arrangement led to disputes, particularly from a Biggar family line already living in Ireland, who challenged the legitimacy of the will.
This episode not only underscores the family’s complex history but also provides further evidence that another branch of the Biggar line had fled to Ireland, expanding the family’s reach—and mystery—across both Scotland and Ireland.
Will 1680
On the first of July 1654, these persons wrote were admitted & sworne free Commoners as aforesaid
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Michaell Biggart m' free of the Staple merchant
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John Biggart m' free of the Staple merchant
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23 Sep 1664 Hugh Biggar Tannery” was admitted and sworne a free Comoner
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1* Aprilis 1669 William Bigger was Admitted and sworne a free Comoner & merc” of the Staple.
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4th Octr 1677 James Biggar Cutler was admitted yº a freeman.
THE BIGGAR FAMILY OF BELFAST AND COUNTY ANTRIM.
By FRANCISJOSEPH BIGGAR, M.R.I.A.
THE Biggar's are a family long connected with Belfast and County Antrim, Ireland, having left Nithsdale, in Scotland, about the year 1640. It is believed they came from the parish of Kirkpatrick Irongray. The “ Biggers of that ilk ” had long been landowners in Nithsdale, and the head of the family was designated “ Laird,” and is believed to have been Herbert Bigger of Barbuie. Three brothers arrived in Ireland and settled in the village of Belfast and also at Biggerstown, adjoining the Parish of Carnmoney. They are believed to have been a branch of, or connected with, the Stewarts of Galloway, whose crest (a pelican in her piety) they still wear, their shield also having a close resemblance, whilst the Biggars wore the tartan and the colour of the Stewarts.
In the year 1642, Ensign Bigger was an officer in the army of Sir James Montgomery. In the years 1657 and 1666, Michael Bigger and James Bigger issued trade tokens in Belfast, which are still extant, and in 1673 were “ Commissioners ” to the first Presbyterian Congregation. In 1666, three Biggers appear on the Hearth Tax List. The entry close to the old Market House in the High Street of Belfast was known as Bigger’s Entry, and had formerly been the entrance to the old family residence, which was built a little off the street. Subsequently, premises were built out to the street and were in the occupation of the Biggers from 1650 till the end of the nineteenth century. At Biggerstovm, Carnmoney. Co. Antrim, the whole district was in their possession in the last century, and they are still owners of a considerable portion.
In 1662 Michael Bigger was part owner of the good ship Unicorn, of which Belfast was then very proud, and about the same time James Bigger was proprietor of 3 acres adjoining “ Goose Lane,” outside the North gate of the town, and also of a meadow in the Cromac marshes, which he specifically bequeaths by Will in 1721, and also leaves “ to the poor of the Parish Church of Belfast the sum of twenty shillings ster., to be paid to such of them as the Rev. Mr Fletcher shall think most fltt.” The Will of Michael Bigger was written in Edinburgh, to which place he must have gone for that purpose, as he had long resided in Belfast and died there. The language employed is the “ broadest, Scotch,” and to most Irish people now would be unintelligible.
There are many other Wills and documents in the possession of the family at Ardrigh, Belfast, in which the most curious phrases occur. In the Will of Eliz. Bigger, 1694, the testatrix refers to High Street as follows-—“To my loving son James All That ye house in fore Street now in possession of William Crawford, Esq., Soveraign nth back house and shades now possessed by him, Reserving the Parlour as it is now of ye sd house for a shop.” _ _ In 1698, Rev. William Bigger was thrown into prison for preaching in Galway, and the Lords Justices were petitioned to prohibit the establishment of dissent, which they did.
The Will of “ Michael Bigger, Yeoman,” 1718, starts with a long pious Introduction, and states Imprimis “ I leave all my body Cloths, linen and wooling, except a ticken vest and briches to,"’ &-C. “ Also, three mills crowns, pence and my chattels to be roped I or sold by Publick Court at a covenant time after my decease at the discretion of my Exactr and overseer.” The following curious spelling occurs Eshew (issue), moyitty (moiety), sorviours (survivors), Housall (household), Revoack (1-evoke)’ legesseyes (legacies), and the curious Christian name “ Peacock ” is mentioned_ James Bigger was one of the earliest enrolled volunteers and was a delegate at Dungannon in 1782. ’
William Bigger and his son Matthew worked a woollen factory at Biggerstown, and were subsidized by Parliament during the Irish Independence. Matthew Bigger was a Colonel on the Irish side at the Battle of Antrim in 1798, and his friends were also well represented there. David Bigger started the Carnmoney Cotton Printing Mill about 1800, which is now Campbell’s Mossley Mills. He was also one of the original Governors of the Belfast Academical Institution, and one of the original committee of the Linen Hall Library and the Belfast Charitable Society, and at the beginning of the century, he held a foremost literary and social position in Belfast. His name will be found subscribed to all the Resolutions calling upon the Emancipation of the Catholics by the Irish Parliament about 1790. He was the seventh son of William Bigger of Biggerstown, and the late Joseph Bigger of Ardrigh was his seventh son, and he has also left a seventh son, Francis Joseph Bigger, the compiler of these notes. The late Joseph Bigger of Trainfield, Belfast, was a wealthy merchant, a landowner in County Antrim, and Chairman of the Ulster Bank. His son, Joseph Gillies Bigger, was M.P. for Cavan, a man of great popularity and force. The late William F. Bigger, J.P., D.L., left Belfast and settled in Derry many years ago, where some of his family still live. Another branch of the family settled at Dundalk, where some of them still reside. The late Professor James L. Bigger, M.A., was of the Derry branch. The late Joseph Bigger of Ardrigh left a large family, which includes Colonel S. F. Bigger; F. C. Bigger of the Treasury, S.A.; Dr E. Coey Bigger, of the Local Government Board; and F. J. Bigger, M.R.I.A. There are also others of the name in Dublin and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
James Bigger b. abt. 1690 Co., Antrim, Ireland m. Martha Fleming
IRE.003
James Biggar b. abt 1640 Co., Antrim, Ireland m. Rebecca Parker
IRE.002
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