Map of Ireland showing where the Higgin arms are recorded
The Higgin arms were recorded in Westmeath, c. 1633.
Westmeath was midland grazing country in Ireland, taken by Norman families and held for centuries. Its estates were large and passed down whole, and unbroken tenure brought arms with it.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Higgin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westmeath.
Origin & History of the Higgin Family in Ireland
The family name Higgin has deep roots in Ireland, particularly within the midlands region of County Westmeath. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1633, living during a time of significant political and social transition in Irish history. The name is often considered an anglicized version of the older Gaelic surname Ó hUiginn. This original Gaelic form suggests that the family belonged to a lineage that valued learning, as the name is historically associated with families of poets and scholars who held respected positions in Gaelic society. As the family settled into life in Westmeath, they became part of the local landscape, navigating the challenges of the seventeenth century while maintaining their connection to this specific region of Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Uigin
A diminutive form derived from the Old Irish word for viking.
This name
HigginDescendant of the little viking, representing a lineage of Norse-Gaelic origin.
also spelled
Higgin
Higgins
Higgen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Inquisitionum in Officio Rotulorum Cancellariae Hiberniae Asservatarum, 1826
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
