Surname Higgens - Meaning and Origin
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Higgens: What does the surname Higgens mean?
The surname Higgens is of Irish origins and is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "O'hUiginn," which means descendant of Uiginn or descendant of Viking. Uiginn was a Gaelic personal name, and the prefix "O" means "male descendant of". Therefore, those bearing the Higgens surname are believed to be descended from a male ancestor named Uiginn or Viking. The surname is predominantly found in Sligo, which is a county in Ireland. The name may also be traced back to England, where it could have been influenced by the Norman invasion in 1066. However, its Gaelic origins in Ireland are much older and well-established. In recent times, the name can be found in various forms such as Higgins, Higgin, and Higgen, among others, across different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHiggens: Where does the name Higgens come from?
The last name Higgens is most commonly found today in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The surname originated in England and is of patronymic origin, derived from the given name Hugh. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name denoting a person who made or sold hoods—in Norman French, the word hood was referred to as "hin".
In the United States, the last name Higgens can be found in most states, but is most concentrated in the Northeastern states of Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. According to the 2000 US Census, 0.3% of Americans had the last name Higgens.
In the United Kingdom, the last name Higgens is also quite common, especially in North and West Yorkshire and Lancashire. According to the 2011 census, there were over 5,000 residents with the last name Higgens.
Overall, the last name Higgens is quite common in both the UK and the US, and its popularity appears to be increasing. It is quite easy to locate individuals with this surname online, through searches using census records or social media sites.
Variations of the surname Higgens
Variants of the surname Higgens include Higgan, Higgen, Higgens, Higgin, Higgins, Higginbottom, Higginbotham, Higginson, Higson and Higsone.
Several alternate spellings also exist, such as Higgyn, Higgen, Higgon, Higginson, Higsone, Higson, Higgane, Hegenbottom, Hegginbottom, Heginbothom, Heginbottom, Higens, Heggins, Heggenbottom, Hegginbothom and Heggins.
The original name may have come from the Old English word “hicgen,” which referred to a hedge or enclosure around a homestead. It is possible that it was a nickname derived from someone who lived near a hedge, as well as from those living in the region of Higgam in Cumberland.
The name is found primarily in the northern counties of England, including Lancashire, Cumberland, Northumberland, and Durham. The name has spread to other parts of the world, including Scotland, Ireland, the United States and Canada.
Surnames related to Higgens include Higgen, Higen, Higson, Higgan, Higginson, Higgins, Higginbottom, Higginbotham and Higganbotham. Additional possible variations include Higgenbothom, Higgenbothan, Higgenbotten, Higginbottom, Higginbothan, Higgensbottom, Higgensbotham, Higganbothan, and Higgenbattom.
Famous people with the name Higgens
- Lily Higgens: a popular YouTuber and creator of the Beauty Boxx Series.
- Tom Higgens: an Irish soccer player who plays for Premier League club Queens Park Rangers.
- Dave Higgens: a former professional American football player for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Claire Higgens: an Australian business executive and entrepreneur.
- Mark Higgens: an award-winning investigative journalist and editor.
- Lauren Higgens: an American actress and producer, best known for her roles in sitcoms such as "Two and a Half Men" and "Will & Grace".
- Paul Higgens: a Canadian actor and playwright.
- Matthew Higgens: a renowned British fashion designer, known for his innovative and avant-garde designs.
- William Higgens: a renowned movie director and producer, known for movies such as "The English Patient" and "The Big Lebowski".
- Robert Higgens: a British actor and singer, best known for his role in the West End production of Wicked.