Higgie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Higgie

What does the name Higgie mean?

In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Higgie family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Higgie is derived from the Gaelic names Mac Adhamh or Mac Edhamh, which both mean son of Adam.

Early Origins of the Higgie family

The surname Higgie was first found in Inverness, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Higgie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higgie research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1642 and 1670 are included under the topic Early Higgie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Higgie Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Higgie has been spelled Heggie, MacHeggie, MacCagy, MacKeggie, Higgie and others.

Early Notables of the Higgie family

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

Higgie 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:

Higgie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Higgie, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Olympus
Thomas jun Higgie, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship "Olympus"

The Higgie 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: Touch Not The Cat Bot A Glove
Motto Translation: Don't touch the cat without a glove.