Surname Heskin - Meaning and Origin
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Heskin: What does the surname Heskin mean?
The surname Heskin is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic term O'hAiseagáin, meaning "descendant of Aiseagán". The name Aiseagán, in turn, may be related to the Irish word for iron and may refer to the high-quality physical work and metallurgy of the original bearers of the name.
The surname is particularly associated with County Sligo in west Ireland. The modern form of this surname is primarily found in borderland counties in Ulster and Connaught, as well as in England, Scotland and North America. The original Heskin family were direct descendants of the ancient kings of Connaught.
The earliest record of the Heskin surname is from the tomb of Toirdhealbhach O'Conchobhair, High King of Ireland in 1250, who references several members of the ancestral Heskin family.
The Heskin family originally held a hereditary position as Brehons or judges in County Sligo. It is said that after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1172, the hereditary position was not lost by the family, but rather transformed from a legal to a military title as the Heskin clan was among the most respected families in the province in the Middle Ages.
Their name has been spelt in a variety of ways such as O'Haskin, O'Haskins, Haskeen, Heskin, MacHaskin, and McAskine. The Heskin name is now found throughout the English-speaking world.
Order DNA origin analysisHeskin: Where does the name Heskin come from?
The last name Heskin is most common in the north and east coast of Ireland. In particular, it is most commonly found in counties Mayo, Galway, Donegal and Monaghan.
It is also a slight variation of the Gaelic name O'hEscein meaning "descendant of Escein". It is a well-recorded name throughout the region and in many places goes by Heskin, O'Heskin, V Heskin etc.
Heskin is not a common name outside of Ireland, but is recognized in parts of the UK, US and Canada due to immigration throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the US, the majority of people with the name Heskin are associated with Irish ancestry, and are found in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York.
The 2011 Census of Scotland recorded only 17 people with the Heskin surname and in England and Wales the last name was found in fewer than 100 households, with the majority living in Lancashire and Merseyside.
The name Heskin, therefore, appears to have had a strong concentration in the counties of Ireland with some migration to the UK, US and Canada, and very small amount in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Heskin
The surname Heskin is often spelt Hesken, Heskine, Heskinne, Hasken, Haskin, Haskins, and Hesketh. These variant spellings or surnames derived from Heskin have several different origins. Commonly, Heskin is believed to come from an Olde English nickname, which means "a brave, strong man". It is also believed to be derived from a combination of the Olde English words herg, meaning hill and hӕs meaning hawk.
Heskin can also be attributed to different areas of England. For example in Co. Durham Hesken is derived from a place-name in which the family lived. Similarly, Heskin and Hesketh of Lancashire are descended from a manor in that part of the country.
The meaning of the surname Heskin can also be found in Scotland. It is believed to be of Norman origin, referring to a type of shield. Another theory suggests that it is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Old Irish personal name Aisegan, meaning "eager or enthusiastic".
The variant spellings of Heskin can also be found in Ireland. The surname Heskin in Ireland is of Norman origin, derived from the Old French personal name Hasculf. This name is composed of the Germanic words haso, meaning "war" and wulf, meaning "wolf".
Other spellings or variants of Heskin are also found in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The name Hoskin, for example, is derived from the Old Welsh personal name Hoscyn, meaning "friend of the court". In Scotland, Gardner and Garth are variants of Heskin, deriving from the Old English words gerd, meaning "very brave", and garth, meaning "grassland" or "settlement". In Ireland, O Heskin is also found, believed to be derived from the Gaelic Ó hEacháin, meaning “descendant of Eachán”.
Overall, the surname Heskin has unified spelling and many different origins and meanings across Europe and the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Heskin
- Donna Heskin: Irish Scholar and former professor of Irish medieval history.
- Tom Heskin: Actor, writer and producer, famous for roles in The Grand Tour, The Crown and the feature film Deep Blue Sea.
- Reuben Heskin: Financial journalist and TV presenter, published author and entrepreneur.
- Brendan Heskin: Actor, writer and director, known for work in the feature films A Long Way Down and Little Bits of Yesterday.
- Tricia Heskin: Singer and songwriter, best known for her singles "My Remains" and "Wild."
- Dr. Mary Heskin: Founder and CEO of the research firm Heskin Ventures in Los Angeles.
- Andrew Heskin: Composer and lyricist, wrote the musicals In the Light and November Song.
- Malcolm Heskin: One of the original scenarists and writers for the popular TV series, Family Ties.
- Emma Heskin: Fashion designer, known for her vintage-inspired designs.
- Denise Heskin: Television reporter and radio host, known for her work with KSNV-TV in Las Vegas.