In the USA, several distinct Riggs family groups have been identified so far, one being that of Edward Riggs of Roxbury (as strongly indicated by 37-marker and 67-marker matches). Thomas Riggs of Gloucester, Mass. has been shown to be of the same genetic family as Edward of Roxbury, but with two distinctive mutations marking his family. There have been several other lines detected which are not related to Edward of Roxbury or Thomas of Gloucester. A Rigg has been shown identical genetically to a Riggs, so singular vs. plural is not a definitive indicator of origin.

Descendants of Riggs from Dorset around 1630 have been identified in the UK and Australia via 111 marker Y-DNA tests.