The Higgins Family History

What Does the Higgins Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Higgins has its roots in both Irish and English heritage, deriving from the Gaelic name O'Huigan. The term 'uiging' and its variant 'uiginri' are etymologically linked to the word Viking. In its English incarnation, Higgins is associated with the name Richard through the diminutive 'hicke. ' Various spellings of Higgins have emerged over time, including Higgens, Higginson, Huggins, Higgans, O'Higgins, Higgin, and O'Higgin. In Irish, the equivalent surname is Hagan. Historically, many early bearers of the Higgins name settled in County Sligo, Ireland. Throughout the 19th century, a significant number of Higgins families emigrated from Ireland, establishing new lives in Australia and the United States. In England, the surname can be found predominantly in London and the neighboring county of Kent, extending westward into Somerset and Gloucestershire. In northern England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire, the Higgins name is also prevalent. In Scotland, the surname appears in various locales, notably in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. In the United States, the Higgins surname is primarily concentrated in Massachusetts and New York, with additional populations in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, California, and Michigan. Noteworthy individuals bearing the Higgins surname include Australian singer-songwriter Melissa Morrison Higgins, novelist George Higgins, professional baseball player and manager Pinky Higgins, Irish professional golfer David Higgins, football player Jonnie Lee Higgins, and Andrew Higgins, the founder of Higgins Industries and inventor of the Higgins boat.