Briggs Family: The English surname Briggs derives from the Old Norse word "bryggja.” It’s the Northern English form of the word bridge. The surname first appeared at Yorkshire in about 1275.

1621, saw the first Briggs family members settling in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Then later during the 18th and 19th century in Virginia, North Carolina, New York and California.

In many ways, we have been shaped by the lives of people we don’t even know much about — and may never know. Nevertheless, if we find ourselves in their stories, we’ll discover more of who we are.

Our shared heritage becomes the “well-built bridge” connecting the past to the present and into the future to a people they probably would not have wanted, valued or recognized. And yet, that shared heritage became rooted in kinship with a people whose strength and perseverance remains unmatched.