Surname Higgs - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Discovering Ancestry and Surname Origins: A DNA Journey into the Past with iGENEA
The DNA test performed through iGENEA rendered exciting revelations about my ancestral past. The origins, history, and development of my surname, Higgs, were brought to the fore, tracing it back to the Norman Conquest of England and extending all the way to my Celtic and Viking roots.
X. Higgs
read moreHiggs: What does the surname Higgs mean?
The last name Higgs is of British origin and can be traced to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. It is derived from the old English personal name 'Hick', which is related to the Old Norse name 'Hickr' and is thought to mean 'hare'. The earliest known recordings of the name include two brothers who were mentioned in the 1185 'Feudal Documents from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds', all three of which appear to have held land at that time.
Throughout history, the Higgs surname and its many variants, including Higges, Higson and Higget, has been a popular name, particularly in the counties of Kent, Essex and Bedfordshire. During the Victorian period, the Higgs name was even found in parts of the United States. Meanwhile, Higgs have also moved to parts of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In modern times, people bearing the Higgs name have made many contributions to society. Notable Higgs include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, civil rights leader Emily Higgs, actresses Patsy Higgs, as well as writers, politicians, boxing figures and notable businessmen. The Higgs surname has persevered and continues to be a prominent name around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHiggs: Where does the name Higgs come from?
The last name Higgs is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. In 2020, the last name was found to be most popular in England, where it was the 568th most popular name according to the Office for National Statistics. Outside of England, the surname has also been found in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The last name Higgs is believed to be Anglo-Saxon in origin, and may be derived from the personal name Hugh or elements from it, such as Hig or Higge. It could also be of Norse origin, and may come from the term "heggr", meaning "high" or "lofty".
The surname has seen numerous spellings over the centuries, with Higges being the earliest recorded form in Sussex in 1155. Other spellings of the name over the years have included Hig, Higgs, Higg, Higges, Hedges, Hewges, and Hogges. Notable figures with the surname include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, Sir Stephen Higginson, and Royal Navy Admiral Sir Cuthbert Higginson.
Today, the last name Higgs is still most commonly found in England, with concentrations in the southeast of the country. It is also found across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Higgs
The spelling variations of the surname Higgs include Higges, Higgeson, Higgson, Hickes, Hix, Hyggs, and Hyggeson. Furthermore, the variants Higson, Higgins, and Shriggs are sometimes used interchangeably with the original spelling.
The Anglo-Saxon ancestors of the Higgs family brought their name to England from northern France. Higgs is derived from the Medieval given name Hig, which was found in many documents in the region. It is believed to have been a diminutive form of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic name Hugo. In some cases, multiple spellings were used by individuals of the same family name.
Variations of the name Higgs are also seen in early records from Scotland, where it is spelled Heggs and Heggson. These versions were brought by the Smith and Heston families, who can trace their roots back to the Middle Ages.
The surname Higgs has a number of variations due to regional linguistic differences, such as Higginson and Higginson. It has also produced a number of spelling variations including Higson, Higson, Hickes, Hix, and Hyggs. Other surnames of similar origin include Hicks, Higby, and Hett.
The surname of Higgs has been used by many families throughout the ages, creating a family tree of variants and spellings that encompass both the British Isles and parts of Europe. The origins of the surname can be traced back to the 15th century, when the recording of family names first began in England.
Famous people with the name Higgs
- Peter Higgs: Peter Higgs is an emeritus professor of physics at the University of Edinburgh, and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate for his work on the mass of subatomic particles.
- Robert Higgs: Robert Higgs is an American economist, and author of books and articles on economics, economic history, and political science.
- Doug Higgs: Doug Higgs is an English molecular biologist, specializing in hematopoiesis (the process by which blood cells are formed) and stem cell research.
- C. David Higgs: C. David Higgs is an American professor of social work, and the former dean of the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.
- Matthew Higgs: Matthew Higgs is a British contemporary art curator, director of White Columns, a renowned New York art space.
- John Higgs: John Higgs is an English writer and cultural historian, who has written on the writings of writers such as J. G. Ballard and Alan Moore.
- Percy Higgs: Percy Higgs was an Australian mathematician, and the founder of the field of algebraic geometry.
- Stephen Higgs: Stephen Higgs is the director of the Bond-Centered Infectious Diseases Research and Training Center at the University of Missouri.
- John B. Higgs: John B. Higgs is an American bioengineer, and the interim dean of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
- Cyndy Higgs: Cyndy Higgs is an American visual artist, who works in glass and has exhibited internationally.