Show ContentsQuiggin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Quiggin surname appeared in Gaelic as Mag Uiginn, which is probably derived from a Norse forename. The name is usually pronounced as "McGwiggen" in it's homeland County Tyrone (especially around Omagh).

Early Origins of the Quiggin family

The surname Quiggin was first found in County Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Quiggin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quiggin research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1659 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Quiggin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quiggin Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Quiggin are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include MacGuigan, MacGoogan, MacGougan,MacGookin, MacGuckin, MacGugan, MacQuiggan, MacWiggin, MacGucken, MacGuckian, MacGuiggan, MacGuighan and many more.

Early Notables of the Quiggin family

More information is included under the topic Early Quiggin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Quiggin 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:

Quiggin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Margaret Quiggin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 1
  • Mr. Thomas Quiggin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 1


The Quiggin 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: Semper patriae servire presto
Motto Translation: Always ready to serve my country


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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