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![Show Contents]() O'Higgins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. O'Higgins 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 O'Higgins familyThe surname O'Higgins 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 O'Higgins familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Higgins 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 O'Higgins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Higgins Spelling VariationsIrish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name O'Higgins dating from that time include Higgins, Higgin, O'Higgin, Higgans, Higgens and many more. Early Notables of the O'Higgins familyProminent amongst the family at this time was - 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 pol...
- Bevil Higgons (1670-1735), was an English historian and poet; and Ambrose O'Higgins (1720-1801), who left Ireland to be educated in Spain, became an administrator in Spain's colonies, becoming Vice-Ro...
Migration of the O'Higgins familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the O'Higgins family relocated to North American shores quite early: Dan Higgins, who settled in Virginia in 1654; Francis Higgins settled in Virginia in 1651; John Higgins settled in Virginia in 1659; Walter Higgins settled in Nevis in 1663.
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
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