Surname Hignett - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hignett: What does the surname Hignett mean?
The last name Hignett is an English surname of Old Norse origins, derived from the personal name Hildigunnr. This name is composed of two elements: “hild” which means “battle”, and “gunnr” which means “warrior”. It is believed to have been introduced to the area by descendants of Scandinavian settlers in the Middle Ages.
The surname Hignett has its earliest records in the northern part of England, especially Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, and Westmoreland. The associated armorials of the Hignett family date back to 1602, when Leonard Hignet was described as a gentleman of Kent. In 1881, the name was recorded in London, where it is still found today.
The Hignett family is associated with a number of notable accomplishments, including Baronets, justices of the peace, mayors, members of parliament, and military officers. The name was spelled a variety of different ways throughout the centuries, including Hingnet, Hignetts, and Hyngetts.
The name Hignett continues to be used throughout the world today as a surname. It is often seen as a symbol of strength, courage, and loyalty. Many people have chosen to take on the surname in honor of their ancestors. It can be seen as a way of honoring one’s past heritage or as an expression of one’s strong ties to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisHignett: Where does the name Hignett come from?
The last name Hignett is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. These families with the surname are believed to have originated from Norfolk in East Anglia. It is most heavily concentrated today in the East Midlands region of England. The name appears to have been held by a family of good social standing in the 12th century. In the 14th century, records show that the Hignetts were living in Boston, Lincolnshire and participating in local government. By 1524, Sir John Hignett had become Lord of the Manor in Widnes, Cheshire. It appears that the Hignetts were mainly landowners, with records indicating some were farmers and, for a brief period, involved in merchant shipping. As time went on, many other members of the Hignett family dispersed to different parts of England and Wales. Today there are still Hignetts all over the British Isles, for instance, in Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and Kent. This family name has also been adopted in other countries and is not uncommon to find a few internationally scattered throughout North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Hignett
The surname Hignett is of English origin and is believed to have originated from either a place name in Cheshire or Northumberland. Variants of this name include Higgins, Higson, Higginson, Higgett, Hignell, Hignelle, Higham, and Higinbotham.
The most common spelling of the surname is Hignett. It is most commonly found in England and Ireland.
Higgins is another variant of the surname which is commonly found in Ireland. It is thought to have derived from an Olde Irish given name, O’hUiginn. It is also popular in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, where it could be derived from a Scottish place name.
The surname Higson is derived from the Olde English elements higan (meaning to 'hay' or 'mow') and sūn (meaning 'son'). It is commonly found in Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
Higginson is thought to come from a combination of the Olde English elements hīg and sūn, meaning 'son of the highest hill'. It may have derived from a place name.
Higgett is derived from the Olde English personal name Heag, which is also recorded as Higge. It was commonly found in Cumberland and North Yorkshire.
Hignell and Hignelle are combined name elements from the Olde English hīg and wella, which is an element used to mean 'stream'. It may have originated from a place name.
Higham is an English place name derived from the elements hēah ('high') and ham ('home' or 'village'). This surname is thought to have originated from a place name.
The spelling Higinbotham might originate from an Olde English personal name Hig, which means 'tent' or 'ingham', which means 'home'. It is commonly found in Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
In sum, although there are many variants of the surname Hignett depending on the region, the most common spelling is Hignett.
Famous people with the name Hignett
- Nikki Hignett: She is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her role in the ITV drama series Second Sight and for being a showgirl on The Generation game.
- Michael Hignett: He is a former English footballer who played as a striker in the 1980s and early 1990s.
- Sarah Hignett: She is an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London.
- Thomas Hignett: He was an English professional footballer who played as a winger for several teams in the early 20th century.
- Charlotte Hignett: She is a British journalist and presenter, who works for the BBC as an anchor, reporter and producer.
- Edmund Hignett: He was a British dermatologist and public health official working for the British Ministry of Health from 1942 to 1952.
- Ieuan Hignett: He is a professional Welsh rugby union player who plays for the Welsh Pro14 side Scarlets.
- Shelley Hignett: She is a British actress and choreographer, best known for her work on stage and film.
- William Hignett: He was the chief medical officer in Sierra Leone in the late 19th century.
- Matthew Hignett: He is a British actor, model and campaigner, best known for playing the role of Reverend Gaius Skelton in the BBC television series The Chatterleys.