A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Higgens family of England.
Reg. 2300 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. guttée de poix on a fesse sa. three towers of the first”
SomersetBury · Somerset, c. 1620
Where the Higgens Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Higgens arms are recorded
The Higgens arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Higgens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Somerset.
Origin & History of the Higgens Family in England
The surname Higgens is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Higgin. The name Higgin itself was a common medieval nickname for Richard, as the suffix "in" was frequently added to names to show affection or familiarity. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Somerset, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Higgens family were living in this region during a time of significant social and religious change. These early ancestors were likely involved in local agriculture or trade, which was typical for families living in the rural parishes of the West Country during the reign of King James I. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from early variations into the modern form, reflecting the way local clerks recorded names based on how they sounded when spoken aloud.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hick
A medieval diminutive form of the Germanic name Richard.
This name
HiggensA patronymic surname meaning son of little Richard.
also spelled
Higgins
Higgons
Related arms
Higginsvariant spelling
O'Higginsvariant spelling
Berryrecorded with Higgens, same area
Boryrecorded with Higgens, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Somerset Archives and Local Studies, Diocese of Bath and Wells: Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
