Ligon
A surname of uncertain origin, likely developed as a regional family name in England or France and later carried into America.
The #5,654 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,284 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The available excerpt only shows the name in passing and does not explain its origin. In surname studies, Ligon is usually treated as an uncertain name, possibly connected to a place-name or an older continental family name that was later anglicized. Because the evidence here is thin, any exact literal meaning should be treated cautiously.
History
Ligon is best known in the United States, where it has remained a relatively uncommon surname. The name appears in early modern records and later American family history, but the excerpt provided does not supply a secure etymology or a clear origin story. As with many short surnames, spelling may have shifted over time, which makes the historical trail difficult to pin down precisely.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because the name is short and uncommon, it has often been subject to spelling variation in old records, which can make genealogical tracing tricky.
From the historical record
“Lightup, 272. Lightwine, 395. Ligon, 71. Like.* A Mr. Like of Albany arrived here Oct. 18, 1S60.”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)