Heggerd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

The spelling and overall form of Irish names tend to vary widely over time. The original Gaelic form of the name Heggerd is "O hEigceartaigh," which is derived from the word "eigceartach," which means "unjust."

Early Origins of the Heggerd family

The surname Heggerd was first found in County Londonderry (Irish: Doire), a Northern Irish county also known as Derry, in the province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Heggerd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heggerd research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1715 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Heggerd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heggerd Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer because one must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English is a daunting task at the best of times. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Heggerd family name include Hegarty, Hegerty, Heggarty, O'Hegarty and others.

Early Notables of the Heggerd family

Notable among the family name at this time was Lt.Col. Hegarty, Lally's Regiment who for his efforts was acknowledged by King Louis XV of France; Peter O'Hegarty, Governor of the Isle...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heggerd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heggerd family

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Heggerd or one of its variants: John, Michael, Robert, and Thomas Hegarty who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.

The Heggerd Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nec flectitur nec mutant
Motto Translation: They neither bend nor change.