Briggs is a Northern English surname found mainly in

West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of England. It is an inland and upland county having eastward-draining valleys while taking in the moors of the Pennines. West Yorkshire came into exi ...

and derives from the

Old Norse Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and their overseas settlemen ...

word ''bryggja'' meaning 'bridge', and could also be related to the British Brigantes which once settled

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...

in the ancient Brythonic kingdom of Brigantia. Notable people with the surname include: *Adam Briggs (born 1986?), stage name

Briggs (rapper) Adam Briggs (born 28 August 1986), who performs as Briggs and self-describes as Senator Briggs (although not a member of the Australian Senate), is an Indigenous Australian rapper, record label owner, comedy writer, actor, and author. Briggs be ...

, Australian rapper * Alfie Briggs (1888–1952), Scottish footballer * Allan Briggs (businessman), founder of Briggs Communications * Allan Briggs (1873–1951), American Olympic sport shooter * Andrew Briggs (George Andrew Davidson Briggs, born 1950) British scientist *

Andy Briggs Andy Briggs (born 27 September 1972 in Liverpool, England) is a British author and screenwriter. He wrote the Hero.com series and the Villain.net young adult novels, which are due to be developed into a television series. Briggs career began ...

(born 1972), British author and screenwriter * Andy Briggs (businessman) (born 1966), British insurance executive *

Ann-Kio Briggs Ann-Kio Briggs, alternatively spelled Annkio Briggs, (born 29 July 1952 in England) is an English-born Nigerian environmentalist and human rights activist. She is the founder and director of the non-governmental organization Agape Birthrights. As ...

(born 1952), English-born Nigerian environmental and human rights activist *

Anne Briggs Anne Patricia Briggs (born 29 September 1944) is an English folk singer. Although she travelled widely in the 1960s and early 1970s, appearing at folk clubs and venues in England and Ireland, she never aspired to commercial success or to achie ...

(born 1944), English folk singer * Annie M. Briggs (born 1987), Canadian actress *

Ansel Briggs Ansel Briggs (February 3, 1806May 5, 1881) was an American pioneer who rose from a stagecoach driver to a member of the Iowa Territorial House of Representatives (1842–1846) and the first Governor of Iowa (1846–1850). Early life Ansel B ...

(1806–1881), American politician * Arthur E. Briggs (1881–1969), California teacher, law school dean and politician *

Asa Briggs Asa Briggs, Baron Briggs (7 May 1921 – 15 March 2016) was an English historian. He was a leading specialist on the Victorian era, and the foremost historian of broadcasting in Britain. Briggs achieved international recognition during his lon ...

(1921–2016), English historian * Barbara G. Briggs (born 1934), Australian botanist *

Barry Briggs Barry Briggs (born 30 December 1934) is a New Zealand former speedway rider. Career He won the World Individual Championship title four times – in 1957, 1958, 1964 and 1966.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World Speedw ...

(born 1934), New Zealand World Motorcycle speedway champion * Benjamin Briggs (1835–1872), captain of the ''Mary Celeste'' * Bill Briggs (disambiguation) * Billy Briggs (born 1977), American musician *

Bob Briggs (American football) Robert James Briggs (April 28, 1945May 5, 1997) was an American football defensive lineman who played in the American Football League and the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Ka ...

(1945–1997), in American Football League and NFL * Bob Briggs (Australian footballer) (1883–1955), Australian rules footballer * Bob Briggs (chemist) (1905–1975), New Zealand organic chemist *

Carlos Briggs Carlos Briggs (born March 2, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player from Detroit, Michigan. Since retiring from professional basketball, Carlos Briggs has enjoyed a successful coaching career at the high school and collegiate l ...

(born 1964), American basketball player *Charlie or Charles Briggs (disambiguation) *

Chuck Briggs Chuck Briggs (15 March 1960 - 4 July 2000) was an American punk rock guitarist, notably working with the U.S. Bombs. He was featured on the albums '' Garibaldi Guard'', ''War Birth'' and '' Never Mind the Opened Minds''. During the 1980s, he pla ...

(1960–2000), American punk rock guitarist *

Clare Briggs Clare A. Briggs (August 5, 1875 – January 3, 1930) was an early American comic strip artist who rose to fame in 1904 with his strip '' A. Piker Clerk''. Briggs was best known for his later comic strips ''When a Feller Needs a Friend'', ''Ain't ...

(1875–1930), American comics artist *

Danny Briggs Danny Richard Briggs (born 30 April 1991) is an English cricketer who currently plays for Warwickshire County Cricket Club, previously playing for Hampshire County Cricket Club and Sussex County Cricket Club. Briggs is a right-handed batsman w ...

(born 1991), English cricketer *

Dave Briggs (journalist) Dave Briggs (born October 11, 1976) is an American television journalist. Dave Briggs was a co-host on CNN's '' Early Start'' with Christine Romans, which debuted Thursday, February 23, 2017, and a relief co-host of CNN's '' New Day'', a thr ...

(born 1976), American television news anchor * David Briggs (disambiguation) *

Derek Briggs Derek Ernest Gilmor Briggs (born 10 January 1950) is an Irish palaeontologist and taphonomist based at Yale University. Briggs is one of three palaeontologists, along with Harry Blackmore Whittington and Simon Conway Morris, who were key in t ...

(born 1950), Irish paleontologist *

Everett Francis Briggs Father Everett Francis Briggs, MM (January 27, 1908 – December 20, 2006) was a Catholic priest and miners' activist who served as a member of the Maryknoll society. Early life Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Briggs attended St. Patrick's Sc ...

(1908–2006), American Catholic priest and miners' activist *

Francis Stewart Briggs Francis Stewart Briggs (18 September 1897 – 21 July 1966) was a pioneering Australian aviator. Frank Briggs learnt to fly with the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War. During the Peace Conference in 1919 he flew delegates between Lond ...

(1897–1966), Australian aviator * Frank Briggs (disambiguation) * Gary Briggs (musician), British guitarist * Gary Briggs (footballer) (born 1959), British footballer *

George N. Briggs George Nixon Briggs (April 12, 1796 – September 12, 1861) was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. A Whig, Briggs served for twelve years in the United States House of Representatives, and served seven one-year terms as the 1 ...

, American politician * Gilbert Briggs (1890–1978), English founder of Wharfedale loudspeakers * Greg Briggs (born 1968), American football player *

Harlan Briggs Harlan Briggs (August 17, 1879 – January 26, 1952) was an American actor and Vaudeville performer who was active from the 1930s until his death in 1952. During the course of his career he appeared on Broadway, in over 100 films, as well a ...

(1879–1952), American actor * Harry Briggs (1923–2005), English footballer * Harold Douglas Briggs (1877–1944), senior Royal Navy and Royal Air Force officer *

Harold Rawdon Briggs Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Rawdon Briggs, (24 July 1894 – 27 October 1952) was a senior British Indian Army officer, active during World War I and World War II and the Malayan Emergency. Briggs was highly regarded by his superiors, among t ...

, director of operations for the British Army in Malaya 1950–1951 *

Harold Briggs (politician) William James Harold Briggs (26 May 1870 – 6 May 1945) was a Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom who served as Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for Manchester Blackley (U ...

(1870–1945), British Conservative Member of Parliament * Henry Briggs (disambiguation) *

Ian Briggs Ian Briggs (born 31 October 1958) is a British television writer, author and manager, whose work includes scripts for the BBC drama series ''Doctor Who'' and '' Casualty''. Writing Briggs wrote two serials for ''Doctor Who'', '' Dragonfire'' and ...

(born 1958), British television writer * Jack Briggs (broadcaster), American radio broadcaster * Jack Briggs (cricketer) (1916–1984), English cricketer *

Jack Briggs (actor) John Calvin Briggs (August 1, 1920 – August 22, 1998) was an American actor. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Katz, and he attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York. He served in the Marines during World War II. Briggs' first t ...

(1920–1998), husband of American actress

Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

* James Briggs (disambiguation) *

Jamie Briggs Jamie Edward Briggs (born 9 June 1977) is a former Australian politician, who represented the House of Representatives seat of Mayo for the Liberal Party of Australia from the 2008 Mayo by-election to the 2 July 2016 federal election. Briggs w ...

(born 1977), Australian politician * Jason W. Briggs (1821–1899), American Latter Day Saint leader *

Jean Briggs Jean L. Briggs (May 28, 1929 – July 27, 2016) was an American-born anthropologist, ethnographer, linguist, and professor emerita at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her best known works included the 1970 landmark book ''Never in Anger: Portr ...

(1929–2016), American-born Canadian anthropologist, ethnographer and linguist *

Jeff Briggs Jeffery L. Briggs (born March 10, 1957) is the American founder and former President and CEO of Firaxis Games, a video game developer based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States. He was previously a game designer at MicroProse but left that com ...

(born 1957), American composer and former computer games executive *

Jimmy Briggs James Briggs (8 April 1937 – 9 April 2011) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a full back. Briggs played the majority of his career with Dundee United, making nearly 400 appearances and captaining the side when they defea ...

(1937–2011), Scottish footballer * Jimmy Briggs (politician) (born 1868), Australian-born South African trade unionist and senator *

Joe Bob Briggs John Irving Bloom (born January 27, 1953), known by the stage name Joe Bob Briggs, is an American syndicated film critic, writer, actor, and comic performer. He is known for having hosted ''Joe Bob's Drive-in Theater'' on The Movie Channel fr ...

, pseudonym of John Irving Bloom (born 1953), American film critic and actor * John Briggs (disambiguation), also Jon, Johnny, and other variations *

Josephine Briggs Josephine P. Briggs is an American nephrologist and director emeritus of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (formerly the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), an agency of the National Institutes o ...

, American nephrologist *

Karen Briggs (musician) Karen Briggs (born August 12, 1963), also known as the "Lady in Red", is an American violinist. Born in Manhattan to a family of musicians, Briggs took up the violin at age 12 and committed to playing professionally at age 15. Briggs joined the Vi ...

(born 1963), American violinist * Karen Briggs (judoka) (born 1963), British judoka *

Katharine Cook Briggs Katharine Cook Briggs (January 3, 1875 – July 10, 1968) was an American writer who was the co-creator, with her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, of an inventory of personality type known as the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Early life ...

(1875–1968), American co-inventor of the Myers-Briggs personality test *

Katharine Mary Briggs Katharine Mary Briggs (8 November 1898 – 15 October 1980) was a British folklorist and writer, who wrote ''The Anatomy of Puck'', the four-volume ''A Dictionary of British Folk-Tales in the English Language'', and various other books on fairi ...

(1898–1980), British author *

Kenneth Briggs Kenneth Robert Briggs (born 17 July 1933) is an English former first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer. Briggs was born at Woking and enlisted in the Royal Air Force in July 1954 as a pilot officer, having graduated from the Royal A ...

(born 1933), English cricketer and RAF officer * Kerensa Briggs (born 1991), British composer *

Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs is an American record producer, known for producing the TLC #1 hit " No Scrubs" and various Destiny's Child songs from the album ''The Writing's on the Wall''. Briggs' then girlfriend, former Xscape singer Kandi Burrus ...

, American record producer * Kim Briggs (handballer) (born 1977), Australian handball player and coach *

Lance Briggs Lance Marell Briggs (born November 12, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats and was select ...

(born 1980), American football player *

Lauren Briggs Lauren Briggs (born 8 August 1979 in Stanford-Le-Hope) is a professional squash Squash may refer to: Sports * Squash (sport), the high-speed racquet sport also known as squash racquets * Squash (professional wrestling), an extremely one-sid ...

(born 1979), English squash player *

LeBaron Russell Briggs LeBaron Russell Briggs (December 11, 1855 – April 24, 1934) was an American educator. He was appointed the first dean of men at Harvard College, and subsequently served as dean of the faculty until he retired. He was concurrently president o ...

(1855–1934), American educator * Leland Lawrence Briggs (1893–1975), American accounting scholar *

Lyman James Briggs Lyman James Briggs (May 7, 1874 – March 25, 1963) was an American engineer, physicist and administrator. He was a director of the National Bureau of Standards during the Great Depression and chairman of the Uranium Committee before America e ...

(1874–1963), American physicist and civil servant * Margaret Jane Briggs (1892–1961), New Zealand show-ring rider * Mary Blatchley Briggs (1846– 1910), American writer and women's organizer * Matt Briggs (born 1970), American writer *

Matthew Briggs Matthew Anthony Briggs (born 6 March 1991) is an English-born Guyanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Gosport Borough and captains the Guyana national football team. Briggs began his career with Fulham, where he progres ...

(born 1991), English footballer * Melancthon J. Briggs (1846–1923), American politician * Michael Briggs (disambiguation) *

Mike Briggs (politician) Mike E. Briggs (born January 23, 1959, in Fresno, California) is an American politician from California and a member of the Republican Party (GOP). Briggs was elected to the Fresno City Council in 1994, succeeding Brian Setencich, who resigned ...

(born 1959), American politician * Mike Briggs (tennis) (born 1968), American tennis player *

Nicholas Briggs Nicholas Briggs (born 29 September 1961) is an English actor, writer, director, sound designer and composer. He is associated with the BBC science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'' and its spin-offs, particularly as the voice of the Dal ...

(born 1961), British actor * Nimi Briggs (born 1944), Nigerian academic *

Patricia Briggs Patricia Briggs (born 1965) is an American writer of fantasy since 1993, and author of the Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. Biography Patricia Briggs was born in 1965 in Butte, Montana, United States. She now resides in Benton City, WA B ...

(born 1965), American fantasy writer *

Patrick Briggs Patrick David Briggs (born 24 August 1940) is an English former cricketer, rugby player and school headmaster. Cricket Briggs was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born in Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire. Briggs ...

(born 1940), English cricketer, rugby player and school headmaster *

Paul Briggs (American football) Paul Leonard Briggs (April 18, 1920 – February 14, 2011) was an American football tackle who played one season with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1944 NFL Draf ...

(1920–2011), American football tackle * Paul Briggs (animator) (born 1974), American artist, animator, and voice actor *

Paul Briggs (boxer) Paul Briggs (born 13 August 1975) is an Australian former boxer. He was a highly ranked contender in the light heavyweight division. He is most known for being knocked out in just 30 seconds into his fight against Danny Green in what bookies and ...

(born 1975), Australian * Perry R. Briggs (1825–1918), American politician in Wisconsin *

Raymond Briggs Raymond Redvers Briggs (18 January 1934 – 9 August 2022) was an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author. Achieving critical and popular success among adults and children, he is best known in Britain for his 1978 story ...

(1934–2022), English illustrator and author *

Raymond Briggs (British Army officer) Raymond Briggs (19 January 1895 – 4 April 1985) was a senior British Army officer who fought in both the First and the Second World Wars. During the latter he led the 1st Armoured Division at the Second Battle of El Alamein in late 1942, and ...

(1895–1985), British Army major general * Raymond Westcott Briggs (1878–1959), US Army officer brigadier general * Robert Briggs (disambiguation) *

Shannon Briggs Shannon Briggs (born December 4, 1971) is an American former professional boxer. He is a two-time heavyweight champion, having held the lineal heavyweight championship from 1997 to 1998, and the WBO title from 2006 to 2007. Briggs is known for h ...

(born 1971), American boxer *

Stephen Briggs Stephen Briggs (born 1951) is a British writer of subsidiary works and merchandise surrounding Terry Pratchett's comic fantasy ''Discworld''. '' The Streets of Ankh-Morpork'', the first Discworld map, was co-designed by Briggs and Pratchett an ...

(born 1951), British ''Discworld'' adapter * Stephen Foster Briggs (1885–1976), American engineer, co-founder of the Briggs & Stratton Company * Ted Briggs (1923–2008), British seaman, survivor of the HMS ''Hood'' sinking * Thomas Briggs (disambiguation) * Tom Briggs (footballer) (1919–1999), English footballer * Tom Briggs (gridiron football) (born 1970), American football player * Tom Briggs (rugby league) (1919–1991), Australian rugby league player *

Tommy Briggs Thomas Henry Briggs (27 November 1923 – 10 February 1984) was an English professional footballer who played as a striker. He was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and died in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He still holds a record for scoring seven ...

(1923–1984), English footballer *

Tony Briggs Tony Briggs (born 3 July 1967) is an Australian actor, writer and producer. He is a former track and field athlete. He is best known for creating the stage play '' The Sapphires'' (later a 2012 film) telling the true story of an Aboriginal s ...

(born 1967), Aboriginal Australian actor, playwright, screenwriter, and producer *

Vic Briggs Victor Harvey Briggs III (14 February 1945 – 30 June 2021) was a British blues and rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist with Eric Burdon and The Animals during the 1966–1968 period. Briggs, a convert to Sikhism, later playe ...

(1945–2021), British blues and rock musician, lead guitarist of Eric Burdon and The Animals * Walter Briggs Sr. (1877–1952), owner of the Detroit Tigers and ''

Briggs Manufacturing Company Briggs Manufacturing was an American, Detroit-based manufacturer of automobile bodies for Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation and other U.S. and European automobile manufacturers. In 1953 it was bought by Chrysler Corporation without its fo ...

'' * Walter Briggs Jr. (1912–1970), son of Walter Briggs Sr. and owner of the Detroit Tigers * William Briggs (disambiguation)

Fictional characters

Bobby Briggs The following is a list of characters from the television series ''Twin Peaks'', the film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'', and the 2017 revival. Overview Concepts Bob Frank Silva was a set decorator who worked on the pilot episode. ...

, fictional character in American television series ''

Twin Peaks ''Twin Peaks'' is an American mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 1991. The show returned in 2017 for ...

'' * Calico "Callie" Briggs, fictional character in '' SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron'' * Charlie Briggs (One Life to Live) *Hortense Briggs, fictional character in ''

An American Tragedy ''An American Tragedy'' is a 1925 novel by American writer Theodore Dreiser. He began the manuscript in the summer of 1920, but a year later abandoned most of that text. It was based on the notorious murder of Grace Brown in 1906 and the trial of ...

'' by

Theodore Dreiser Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser (; August 27, 1871 – December 28, 1945) was an American novelist and journalist of the naturalist school. His novels often featured main characters who succeeded at their objectives despite a lack of a firm mora ...

* Major Garland Briggs, fictional character in ''

'' *

Jacqui Briggs This is a list of Player character, playable and boss (video games), boss characters from the ''Mortal Kombat'' fighting game franchise and the games in which they appear. Created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the series depicts conflicts between ...

, character in the arcade/videogame series '' Mortal Kombat'' * Jackson "Jax" Briggs, character in the arcade/videogame series '' Mortal Kombat'' *

Jonny Briggs ''Jonny Briggs'' is a Children's BBC kitchen sink realism television programme first broadcast in 1985. It revolves around the exploits of a young boy, the eponymous hero (played by Richard Holian), his pet dog, Razzle, and his eccentric fami ...

, main character of eponymous BBC children's drama 1985–1987 *Kim Briggs (Scrubs), mother of J.D.'s baby in American TV comedy-drama ''Scrubs'' *Randolph Briggs, fictional character in the American television series ''Alice (American TV series), Alice'', played by Hans Conried. *Sandra Briggs, fictional character in British soap opera ''Emmerdale'' *List of iCarly characters#Faculty, Miss Briggs, character in American television series ''iCarly'' *Briggs Gordon, Uncle Briggs, host of an American children's television series which aired on WSIL-TV

Fictional characters

See also