Surname Higgins - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling Surprises and Unexpected Twists: My iGENEA DNA Test Results and The Higgins Mystery
I underwent an iGENEA DNA test to trace my family's Irish roots and to learn more about my surname, Higgins. Much to my surprise, the results revealed an unforeseen path which led to an unexpected reinterpretation of my family's history and identity.
K. Higgins
read moreHiggins: What does the surname Higgins mean?
The surname Higgins is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó hUiginn" which roughly translates to "descendant of Uiginn." Uiginn itself is a personal name that means "Viking" or "sea-rover." This suggests that individuals bearing the surname Higgins are likely descendants of a Viking or sea-rover heritage. The surname was particularly common in Ireland's County Sligo. Although traditionally an Irish surname, due to emigration during the time of the Irish potato famine in the 19th century, the surname Higgins and its variation Huggins can now be found in many English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHiggins: Where does the name Higgins come from?
The last name Higgins is of Irish origin and it derives from the Gaelic name "O'hUigin," which means offspring or descendant of Uigein. Uigein translates directly to Viking, thus the name could mean "descendant of the Viking".
The name became common in Connaught, an province in West Ireland, where the O'Higgins family held a family seat from ancestral times. Today, after spreading during the years of the Great Irish Famine and Irish diaspora, Higgins is a common surname in places with a significant Irish immigrant population such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In England, it is more common in the northwestern region. In current times, some well-known people with the surname Higgins include actors and actresses, scientists, politicians – even the Presidents of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, boasts this surname.
Variations of the surname Higgins
The surname Higgins is of Irish origin and has a rich history, with several variations, spellings, and related surnames under the same origin. This originates from the Gaelic patronymic phrase "O’hUiginn", which means "descendant of Uiginn". Uiginn is an Old Irish personal name derived from the Norse-Viking name "Viggeirr" which means "warlike or fierce in battle".
It’s interesting to note multiple spellings and variations of the surname Higgins have been formulated over time, due to factors such as dialect and geographical dispersion. Some of the most common spellings include Higgin, Higginson, Hicken, Hickin, and Higgenson. Hegan, Heggin, Egan, O'Hegon and MacEgan are other notable surnames that also trace back to the original Uiginn ancestor. These surnames are more prevalent in regions where Irish ancestors have migrated, for example, the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand.
It's also possible that the surname has undergone anglicization due to geographical migration, hence the varieties of the surname. This has resulted in a wide range of spellings and pronunciations of the original surname. The surname Higgins, in all its forms, remains a widely recognized and historically rich family name.
Famous people with the name Higgins
- Jack Higgins: Best-selling British writer of bestselling thriller and espionage novels.
- Vanina Higgins: American youth judo champion.
- Winfield Scott Higgins: Awarded Medal of Honor for bravery during the Civil War.
- Joanne Higgins: Australian Paralympic athlete who specially competes in the sport of wheelchair basketball.
- Drew Higgins: Professional golfer from Australia.
- Julia Higgins: Baroness and physical chemist.
- Harry Higgins: Actor and singer who appeared on Broadway.
- Erin Higgins: Former footballer who was part of the women’s Irish national team.
- Marjorie Higgins: British film producer, director and film writer.
- Ryan Higgins: Professional basketball player from Ireland.