Surname Ó hUigín - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Ó hUigín: What does the surname Ó hUigín mean?
The last name Ó hUigín (anglicized as O'Higgins) is a common surname in Irish Gaelic. The name in Gaelic translates literally to "grandson of Uigin," Uigin being a personal name. Uigin is thought to have been a diminutive form of "Uigeadh," which was a pre-Christian Irish name. Known as an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ui hUigín, the O’Higgins name appears throughout the Irish language books of genealogy known as Leabhar na nGenealach.
Nationally, the surname is found mostly in the Province of Connacht, a region located in the western portion of Ireland. It is believed to come from the family of Irish chieftains who were forced to give up their last name after the royal confiscation of land in the 1500s.
In the early 1500s, the O’Higgins name was adopted by members of the O’Higgins of Corcomroe clan, who are believed to be descended from the last High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. This influential family has held many positions of power, acting as barristers, justices, and even presiding judges in the court of Connacht. They are also well-known for their valiant contribution towards the Irish Revolution of 1642.
The O’Higgins clan is also associated with navy and military leaders. Most notably, Richard Loftus O'Higgins was renowned for his bravery and distinguished military service, having fought and led Spanish forces in South American revolutions.
Today, O'Higgins is one of the most popular Irish surnames, widely held throughout the world. It is a proud reminder of the bravery and courage of Irish people, as well that of the O'Higgins of Corcomroe clan.
Order DNA origin analysisÓ hUigín: Where does the name Ó hUigín come from?
The last name Ó hUigín is a fairly common name in Ireland, primarily in the Irish language-speaking areas of Connemara and the Aran Islands in County Galway. The name comes from the Gaelic Ó hUigín which is derived from the Irish words “O” meaning male descendant and “huigin” meaning “a dark one”. The Ó hUigín clan, who have been documented in Irish history since 1306, belonged to the Uí Fiachra branch of Connacht and were descended from Fiachra, a local Irish king of the fourth century.
Today, the name is found throughout Ireland, especially in County Galway. It is also fairly common in the United States, particularly among Irish-Americans, due to mass emigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Ó hUigín name is also found in Australia, Canada, and parts of the UK.
Currently, there are many members of the “ohugin” surname all over the world. According to Ancestry.com, there are around 3,732 people in the United States and around 448 people in the United Kingdom who currently possess the last name Ó hUigín.
Given its historical roots, a proud association remains for those who still bear the name in modern times. With the name primarily continuing in the various parts of the Irish diaspora, along with the spelling variations Ogheen, O'Hugen, and O'Heygen, it still serves as a reminder of the deep Irish heritage often found in individuals who proudly bear the Ó hUigín name.
Variations of the surname Ó hUigín
The surname Ó hUigín is derived from the personal name “Huigín,” which originated as the Irish form of “Hugh.”
The most common variants of the surname Ó hUigín include Igney, Iggy, Igny, Uigin, Iguin, and Uiginges. Irish spellings may also be Ua hAodhagáin, Ui hAodhagáin, and Uí hAodhagáin. The spelling Mac Eochagáin is also seen, and is derived from a patronymic translation of the name.
It is also possible to find Ó hUigín as a variation of Uí Ógáin, Uí Uigín, Uí Eoghain, Uí Mocháin, O’Hogan or Hogan, and Mac hAodha. These alternate surnames are all derived from personal names, often derived from Eochaidh or Aodh, which is the Old Irish form of the name Hugh.
In addition, accompanying variations such as “Hugh” and “Hue” and related names, such as “Hugean” and “Huegine” can be used as surnames or thought of as related to Ó hUigín.
Overall, the surname Ó hUigín has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, making its derivation and usage rather complex. Each of these variants, spellings, and surnames trace back to the same personal name of “Huigín,” derived from the Old Irish form of “Hugh.”
Famous people with the name Ó hUigín
- Michael Ó hUigín: an Irish Fianna Fáil politician from County Mayo and the founding President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
- Aonghus Ó hUigín: an Irish poet, harper, and musician
- Cormac Ó hUigín: a prominent Irish scribe of the 12th and 13th centuries
- Pádraig Ó hUigín: an Irish poet and Harper
- Seosamh Ó hUigín: an Irish actor and filmmaker
- Séamus Ó hUigín: an Irish Gaelic footballer
- Tomás Ó hUigín: an Irish poet from County Clare