Sir Ralph Bigland (néOwen; 1 May 1757 – 14 July 1838) was an English herald. He was the son of Joseph Owen of Salford, Lancashire, and Elizabeth-Maria Owen (née Bigland).
In 1774, he received royal licence to take the surname and arms of Bigland.[1] He did this out of respect to his maternal uncle, Ralph Bigland,[2] English Officer of Arms, at his uncle's desire.[3]
That same year, he became Rouge Dragon Pursuivant,[4] the first of five heraldic appointments he was to hold in the College of Arms.
Like his uncle, he rose to the most senior office, being appointed Garter Principal King of Arms from 1831[5] (the same year he was created Knight Bachelor[6]) until his death. He was the last to hold all three Kingships of the College of Arms in succession.[3]
Arms
Coat of arms of Sir Ralph Bigland
Notes
Same arms as his uncle and namesake.
Adopted
Exemplified 1774
Crest
On a torse or & azure a lion passant looking backwards gules & holding in the dexter paw an ear of big or.
Escutcheon
Quarterly with a crescent for difference; (1) azure, 2 ears of big (wheat) or (Bigland); (2) argent, 2 bars with 3 scallops in chief gules (Errington); (3) argent, 10 roundels gules (Babington); (4) or, a fret sable (Ward).[7]
