Ralph Bigland (born 1757)

Sir Ralph Bigland, Knt. (1 May 1757 – 14 July 1838) 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. He did this out of respect to his maternal uncle, Ralph Bigland, English Officer of Arms, at his uncle's desire. That same year he became Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, 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 (the same year he was created Knight Bachelor) until his death. He was the last to hold all three Kingships of the College of Arms in succession.

References

Heraldic offices
Preceded by Thomas Locke	Rouge Dragon Pursuivant 1774–1780	Succeeded by Benjamin Pingo
Preceded by Peter Dore	Richmond Herald 1780–1803	Succeeded by Joseph Hawker
Preceded by George Harrison	Norroy King of Arms 1803–1822	Succeeded by Edmund Lodge
Preceded by Sir George Nayler	Clarenceux King of Arms 1822–1831	Succeeded by Sir William Woods
Preceded by Sir George Nayler	Garter Principal King of Arms 1831–1838	Succeeded by Sir William Woods