Higgins

Etymology and Origin

Higgins is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó hUiginn, meaning "descendant of Uiginn." The personal name Uiginn itself is a byname derived from the Old Norse word for "Viking," reflecting the influence of Norse settlers in Ireland during the early medieval period. The surname is particularly associated with County Sligo in northwestern Ireland, where the Gaelic family were notable literary and ecclesiastical figures from the 13th to the 18th centuries.

Notable Bearers of Higgins

The surname Higgins has been borne by many notable individuals across various fields. In politics, Jim Higgins is an Irish Fine Gael politician, while Monnie Higgins served as a U.S. Representative from New York. The name also appears in entertainment, with actor John Higgins (known for his role in The Walking Dead) and comedian Steve Higgins, a writer and producer on Saturday Night Live. In sports, snooker player John Higgins and boxer Bob Higgins are recognized figures. The Higgins family is also prominent in music, including guitarist Larry Higgins of the soul band The Independents. David Higgins is a notable rally driver, and Michael D. Higgins is the President of Ireland, the first to be born in the 20th century.

Geographic Distribution

As a surname, Higgins is common in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it ranks among the top 500 surnames. The name is also used as a place name: Higgins is a suburb of Canberra, Australia; a township in Michigan; an unincorporated community in North Carolina; and a town in Texas named after a Santa Fe Railway stockholder.

• Meaning: Descendant of a Viking (from Irish Ó hUiginn)
• Origin: Irish, derived from Norse influence
• Type: Family name (surname, patronymic)
• Usage Regions: Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia