from 1860s as "a good deal, a large amount;" by 1878 in financial speculation, originally in California publications; see deal (n.1). As an ironic expression, popular in American English from c. 1965, perhaps a translated Yiddishism (such as a groyser kunst).
she's a big deal in local politics
big
Big Apple
big bang
Big Ben
Big Brother
big deal
Big Dipper
Big Mac
big shot
big time
bigamist