Surname O'Higin - Meaning and Origin

O'Higin: What does the surname O'Higin mean?

The last name O’Higin is an Irish name, derived from the Gaelic Ua hEigcéin or Ó hEigcein. Its root, Eigceann, means “sharp-minded” or “wise”. The O’ prefix usually indicates a descendent of someone notable or of royalty, however, there is also evidence to suggest this variation of the name is of Norman descent, meaning "son of" a specific ancestor.

The O’Higin name is mainly found within 3 Irish counties; Donegal, Antrim and Dublin, though there are some instances of it in the region of Connacht and among the northern Irish diaspora. It is thought that the Donegal version of the name originates from the ÓhEigeáin Clan, a well-known family in the area, dating back to medieval times.

The O’Higin name is well regarded in Ireland. It symbolises wisdom, cleverness and intelligence. It is a reminder of a long and rewarding history; of strong family values passed down from generation to generation. Those with the name O’Higin knew that their quiet strength and dignity came from the idea that "the wisdom of a sharp mind will be respected".

O'Higin: Where does the name O'Higin come from?

The last name O'Highin is most commonly found today in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The name is of Irish and Scottish origin, meaning it is derived from the O'hEighinn clan which was found in County Fermanagh, Ireland starting in the 10th century. The clan was comprised of several branches that spread geographically, giving rise to a number of variations of the name. For example, the O'Highin surname variations include O'Higgin, Higgin, O'Higgins, O'Hogan, Halpen, Higben, Hieghan, Hegewan, and Heighin.

Many people descended from the O'hEighinn clan can still be found in Ireland today. In England, the O'Highin surname is also quite common, though it has taken various forms since the Norman Conquest. In Scotland, the O'Highin surname is known as Higgen, which again is derived from the O'hEighinn clan. It is also quite common in Scotland and the United States, where some of the family moved in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

In the United States, O'Highin is mostly found in the northeast and Midwest, as the majority of the families who moved there settled in the mid-Atlantic and midwestern regions. It is also quite common in California and other parts of the western United States, as some of the family who moved from Ireland and elsewhere during the early 1800s and 1900s settled in these areas.

Regardless of where the O'Highin surname is found today, it is one that has a long and proud heritage, spanning centuries and across multiple countries.

Variations of the surname O'Higin

The O'Higgin surname is an anglicized form derived from the Gaelic name 'O hEighnigh'. This variation is most commonly found in counties Cork and Kerry in Ireland.

Variants of O'Higgin include O Highin, O Hygin, O Heggan, O Heighin and O Heagen. In some instances, the spelling has changed over time to Oheggan, Ohehien or O Heigen, as well as the Irish spelling 'OhEighnigh' and 'OhEighny'.

Variations of the O'Higgins surname exist outside of Ireland. In Scotland, the name is spelled O'Haggins. Additionally, in Wales the name is commonly spelled O'Higgons or Higgin.

Common surnames that are derived from the same origin are O'Hehir, Ehigin and Egan. Often these surnames are interchangeable, as the origination is the same in each instance.

In Scotland, many people with the surname O'Higgin prefer the Scottish variant 'MacHiggins' and it is now a commonly used name amongst families in that part of the United Kingdom.

The surname O'Higgin or any of its variations are often associated with the Irish O'Higgins Clan, a powerful and influential family in the Middle Ages. Many of the original O'Higgin clan immigrated to North America during the 19th century, where the spelling often changed and they are now more commonly referenced as O'Higgins.

Despite the variations of spelling, the common factor throughout is that all variations are derived from the Gaelic name 'O hEighnigh' and all share the same origin.

Famous people with the name O'Higin

• Michael O'Higgins: American actor
• Gene O'Higgins: former tennis player
• Sean O'Higgins: Irish politician and former Attorney General
• Hoyt O'Higgins: American football player
• Patrick O'Higgins: former revolutionary, and first vice-president of Mexico
• Ellsworth O'Higgins: American politician
• Pádraig O'hEochaidh: Irish television personality
• Steve O'Higgins: Canadian singer
• Domhnall O'hEochaidh: Irish politician
• Conor O'Higgins– Irish sculptor and artist

Other surnames

O'Higgins