Show ContentsHicken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Hicken originally appeared in Gaelic as "O huigin," which is derived from the word "uiging," which is akin to the Norse word "viking."

Early Origins of the Hicken family

The surname Hicken was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. This distinguished Irish Clann was a branch of the O'Neills, said to descend from a grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the 4th century High King of Ireland and founder of the Uí Neill Clan.

Early History of the Hicken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hicken research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1315, 1490, 1501, 1578, 1595, 1624, 1659, 1661, 1670, 1679, 1691, 1720, 1735, 1796, 1801 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Hicken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hicken Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Hicken family name include Higgins, Higgin, O'Higgin, Higgans, Higgens and many more.

Early Notables of the Hicken family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hUiccinn (died 1490) an Irish poet, Chief Ollam of Ireland (?-1490.) Shean Duff O'Higgins was Lord of Ballynary, Sligo; Theophilus Higgons (c.1578-1659), was an English divine and convert to Catholicism; Sir Thomas Higgons (c 1624-1691), was an English diplomat and politician, Member of Parliament for Malmesbury in 1659, and...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hicken Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Hicken migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hicken Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Abel Hicken, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 1
  • Mr. Thomas Hicken, (b. 1845), aged 13, Cornish labourer departing from Plymouth on 25th February 1858 aboard the ship "Admiral Boxer" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 14th May 1858 2

New Zealand Hicken migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hicken Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Hicken, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Easterhill" in 1882

Contemporary Notables of the name Hicken (post 1700) +

  • Donna Hicken Deegan (b. 1961), American author, breast cancer awareness advocate, wife of Dan Hicken
  • Daniel Patrick "Dan" Hicken (b. 1963), American sports director and weeknight sports anchor for First Coast News, Jacksonville, Florida
  • W. A. Hicken (b. 1859), American Republican politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives 57th District, 1917-18 3
  • Edward E. Hicken (b. 1876), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1936 3
  • Chris Hicken, British singer, songwriter/composer, and producer

Hillcrest Coal Mine
  • Mr. George Hicken (1887-1914), English Miner from Cannock Registration District, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 4


The Hicken 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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country


  1. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners


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