Surname O'Higgins - Meaning and Origin
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O'Higgins: What does the surname O'Higgins mean?
The name O’Higgins is an anglicized version of the Irish name "O hUiginn”, which is derived from the Irish surname Uiginn, and it belongs to the O'hOigin Sept from Ireland. O'Higgins is commonly thought of as an Irish name, but there is also an older Galician-Portuguese origin.
The name comes from a 7th-century Irish clan leader, Muireadhach O'hUiginn. Muireadhach was a renowned warrior and leader from Chaisil in County Leitrim, initially gaining power by uniting the warring O'Rourke and O'Reilly clans. The O'Higgins name has been passed down through his descendants, eventually leading to Viscount Valentín O’Higgins from Galicia, and the prominent Chilean General and first Supreme Director, Bernardo O'Higgins.
The O'Higgins family and their descendants have a strong legacy of courage and leadership. Today, the name has come to signify strong mental fortitude, extraordinary bravery, and moral strength. The Irish branch of the O'Higgins family is now spread across the world, but all O'Higgins people can be proud of the distinguished legacy of their family – a legacy of courage, justice, and personal responsibility.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Higgins: Where does the name O'Higgins come from?
The last name O’Higgins is most commonly associated with Irish and Spanish heritage. The origin of the name can be traced back to Ireland, where the only trace of the name was in the Province of Ulster. Though the surname has largely died out in Ireland, it still remains well known in Spanish-speaking countries. The most famous bearer of the name is Bernardo O’Higgins, the leader of Chile's independence movement in the early 19th century. Through his fame, the name became well known in South America, and has remained popular since then.
The name is most common today in South American countries, most notably Chile where it is the 5th most popular last name. The name is also popular in Uruguay, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina where it is still used frequently. In the United States, the name is quite uncommon and is mainly limited to the descendants of Irish and Spanish immigrants who brought the name with them when they arrived.
Overall, the name O’Higgins is quite rare today. The majority of people who bear the name are of Irish and Spanish descent, though it is also present in smaller numbers among other countries and nationalities. Its roots as an Irish surname have largely disappeared, but thanks to Bernardo O’Higgins, the name continues to be used in many Spanish-speaking countries to this day.
Variations of the surname O'Higgins
The surname O'Higgins is derived from the ancient Irish Gaelic name Ó hUiginn. It is typically used as an anglicized form of the Irish surname, although there exist variations such as Mac Uiginn, Ó hUigín, Mac Uighin, Ó hUighinn, and MacGhiginn. O'Higgins is the most common version of the surname, found particularly in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.
Variations and alternate spellings for the surname O'Higgins include Uigin, Higgin, Higgin, Higgens, Heigin, Hieggin, Higgan, Hegin, Higgon, Haken, Heigens, and Huggens. It is also very common to find this surname spelled with an 'Mc' prefix. Variations of the Mc prefix include: McKiggin, McKiggan, McKiggen, McKeggan, McKigin, and McKiggin.
Variations of the O'Regan (Ó Riagáin) surname also appear to be related to this name. Variations of the O'Regan surname include: O'Reggan, O'Regin, O'Reagan, O'Reagn, O'Riegan, O'Rieggin, O'Riegen, O'Riegeno, O'Reegan, and O'Regines.
A patronymic version of the surname, such as O'Higgins's son, would be MacUiginn or McUiginn. A variant of the MacUiginn surname is McGuigan. McGuiggan, McGuyggan, and McGygan are also found.
While there are many variations and spellings related to the O'Higgins surname, many of them are of the same origin. It is important to research each of the variants to ensure accuracy when tracing families.
Famous people with the name O'Higgins
- Bernardo O'Higgins: Bernardo O'Higgins was a Chilean independence leader who freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. He was the first Supreme Director of Chile and a founding father of the state.
- Alexis O'Higgins: Alexis O'Higgins was the daughter of Bernardo O'Higgins and wife of the President of Chile, Manuel Bulnes. She was an influential leader and cultural figure in her time.
- Pablo O'Higgins: Pablo O'Higgins was a Mexican muralist and political artist who was involved in socialist and communist causes. He is recognized as one of the most important Mexican painters of the 20th century.
- Kevin O'Higgins: Kevin O'Higgins was an Irish politician who served as Attorney General and Minister for Justice in the 1920s. He was instrumental in ending political unrest in the country, as well as restoring law and order throughout the country.
- Shane O'Higgins: Shane O'Higgins was a PPN councillor and candidate for the Irish nationalist political party, Fianna Fáil. He is best remembered for his efforts to secure the Good Friday Agreement.
- Joseph O'Higgins: Joseph O'Higgins was an Irish politician who served as a cabinet minister in the government of Éamon de Valera from 1932 to 1948. He was the leader of the opposition from 1948 to 1951.
- Bob O'Higgins: Bob O'Higgins was an Irish film director and screenwriter, best known for his films such as "The Last Remake of Beau Geste" and "Una Bella Storia".
- Liam O'Higgins: Liam O'Higgins was an Irish author who wrote a number of books on Irish history. He is best known for his work "Irish Nationalism and the British Empire".