Heggard 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 Heggard is "O hEigceartaigh," which is derived from the word "eigceartach," which means "unjust."

Early Origins of the Heggard family

The surname Heggard 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 Heggard family

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

Heggard Spelling Variations

The spelling of one's surname was not as important as it is today. Names were recorded as they sounded and in many cases, one's surname changed with each listing. As a result, surnames often had many spelling variations. For Heggard some of these variations included: Hegarty, Hegerty, Heggarty, O'Hegarty and others.

Early Notables of the Heggard 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 Heggard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heggard family

Irish families fled the English-colonized Ireland in record numbers during the 19th century for North America. Many of those destitute families died from disease during, and even shortly after, the long journey. Although those that immigrated before the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s often were granted a tract of land, those that arrived later were generally accommodated in urban centers or in work camps. Those in the urban centers would labor in the manufacturing sector, whereas those in work camps would to build critical infrastructures such as bridges, canals, roads, and railways. Regardless of when these Irish immigrants came to North America, they were critical for the rapid development of the young nations of the United States and Canada. Early immigration and passenger lists have recorded many early immigrants bearing the name of Heggard: John, Michael, Robert, and Thomas Hegarty who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.

The Heggard 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.