NameCensus.

UK surname

Higgin

A surname with Anglo-Norman French roots possibly referring to a craftsman or petty officer.

In the 1881 census there were 719 people recorded with the Higgin surname, ranking it #5,068 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 422, ranked #11,365, down from #5,068 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Eccles and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Cheshire West and Chester and South Hams.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Higgin is 916 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.3%.

1881 census count

719

Ranked #5,068

Modern count

422

2016, ranked #11,365

Peak year

1911

916 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Higgin had 719 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,068 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 422 in 2016, ranked #11,365.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 916 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Higgin surname distribution map

The map shows where the Higgin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Higgin surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Higgin over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 458 #5,402
1861 historical 661 #4,058
1881 historical 719 #5,068
1891 historical 795 #5,059
1901 historical 730 #6,065
1911 historical 916 #4,879
1997 modern 458 #9,939
1998 modern 462 #10,201
1999 modern 440 #10,648
2000 modern 460 #10,245
2001 modern 434 #10,539
2002 modern 438 #10,675
2003 modern 444 #10,393
2004 modern 456 #10,188
2005 modern 433 #10,516
2006 modern 424 #10,748
2007 modern 428 #10,766
2008 modern 422 #10,992
2009 modern 427 #11,129
2010 modern 433 #11,242
2011 modern 428 #11,219
2012 modern 425 #11,157
2013 modern 429 #11,280
2014 modern 432 #11,287
2015 modern 420 #11,458
2016 modern 422 #11,365

Geography

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Where Higgins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Eccles, Manchester, Dalton-in-Furness and Ulverstone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Cheshire West and Chester and South Hams. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Eccles Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
5 Ulverstone Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 015 Isle of Wight
2 Cheshire West and Chester 047 Cheshire West and Chester
3 South Hams 006 South Hams
4 Cheshire West and Chester 045 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Isle of Wight 006 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Higgin

These lists show first names that appear often with the Higgin surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Higgin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Higgin, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Higgin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Higgin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Higgin is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Higgin is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Higgin falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Higgin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Higgin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Higgin

The surname HIGGIN is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name Higga, which was a pet form of the name Hugh. This name was widespread in medieval England and was often used as a nickname or diminutive.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HIGGIN can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a John Higgin is mentioned. Another early reference is in the Hundred Rolls of Berkshire from 1273, which lists a William Higges.

The name HIGGIN may also have roots in the Old English word "hicce," meaning a small tract of land or a hillock. This could suggest that the name originally referred to someone who lived on or near a small hill or elevated ground.

In the 14th century, variations of the name appeared in various records, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, which lists a Johannes Hygyn, and the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1332, which mentions a Richard Higges.

Historically, the HIGGIN surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire, where it was well-established by the 16th century. One notable individual with this surname was William Higgin (1620-1680), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Wigan Parish Church.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Higgin (1776-1844), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was knighted for his services. He is remembered for his role in the capture of the French frigate Renommée in 1803.

In the 19th century, John Higgin (1810-1885), a British industrialist and inventor, made significant contributions to the development of the cotton spinning industry. He patented several improvements to textile machinery and was a pioneer in the use of ring spinning technology.

Other notable individuals with the surname HIGGIN include John Higgin (1800-1870), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Wigan, and Francis Higgin (1850-1916), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in the North West of England.

While the HIGGIN surname may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and connections to various regions of England continue to make it an intriguing and significant name with deep roots in the country's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Higgin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Higgin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 479 Higgins recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.76x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 479 5.76x
Yorkshire 53 0.76x
Middlesex 20 0.29x
Cumberland 16 2.65x
Surrey 14 0.41x
Buckinghamshire 9 2.13x
Cheshire 9 0.58x
Denbighshire 8 3.02x
Hampshire 8 0.56x
Lanarkshire 8 0.35x
Westmorland 8 5.20x
Worcestershire 8 0.87x
Gloucestershire 7 0.51x
Pembrokeshire 7 3.14x
Somerset 7 0.62x
Durham 6 0.29x
Kent 6 0.25x
Midlothian 6 0.64x
Dunbartonshire 5 2.66x
Cornwall 4 0.50x
Shropshire 4 0.66x
Derbyshire 3 0.27x
Essex 3 0.22x
Northumberland 3 0.29x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.32x
Ayrshire 2 0.38x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.71x
Renfrewshire 2 0.37x
Warwickshire 2 0.11x
Angus 1 0.15x
Argyllshire 1 0.51x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Hertfordshire 1 0.21x
Monmouthshire 1 0.20x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ulverston in Lancashire leads with 30 Higgins recorded in 1881 and an index of 123.92x.

Place Total Index
Ulverston 30 123.92x
Pendleton In Clitheroe 27 857.14x
Cliviger 26 555.56x
Barrow In Furness 25 22.12x
Burnley 25 35.72x
Great Little Marsden 22 57.79x
Colne 19 76.74x
Castleton 18 21.69x
Barton Upon Irwell 17 27.17x
Manchester 16 4.28x
Wardleworth 13 27.37x
Osmotherley 12 1052.63x
Ashton Under Lyne 11 6.06x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 8.33x
Oldham 11 4.10x
Salford 11 4.50x
Egton Cum Newland 10 414.94x
Toxteth Park 10 3.55x
Dalton In Furness 9 28.05x
Everton 9 3.40x
Little Missenden 9 337.08x
Preston 9 4.05x
Stoke Newington London 9 16.50x
Worsley 9 17.57x
Egremont 8 55.63x
Huyton With Roby 8 82.14x
Liverpool 8 1.58x
Radcliffe 8 19.97x
Blackburn 7 3.17x
Blatchinworth 7 37.00x
Cleator 7 27.89x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 7 136.72x
Halifax 7 6.87x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 4.97x
Urswick 7 226.54x
Backwell 6 259.74x
Briercliffe Cum 6 218.18x
Bury 6 6.32x
Castlemartin 6 638.30x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 1.59x
Failsworth 6 31.56x
Govan 6 1.07x
Hordle 6 240.00x
Kidderminster Borough 6 11.21x
Kimberworth 6 15.58x
Stainland Cum Old 6 50.51x
Wrexham Abbot 6 90.23x
Applethwaite 5 108.93x
Brightside Bierlow 5 3.67x
Leeds 5 1.28x
Old Kilpatrick 5 22.48x
Oswaldtwistle 5 17.03x
Stansfield 5 19.58x
Stockton On Tees 5 4.98x
Worsthorne Cum 5 189.39x
Accrington 4 5.29x
Birkenhead 4 3.25x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 4 58.31x
Hipperholme Cum 4 13.11x
Hulme 4 2.31x
Kildwick 4 63.29x
Shevington 4 105.26x
Trawden 4 76.92x
Wendron 4 36.33x
Farnworth 3 6.02x
Habergham Eaves 3 3.95x
Hook 3 19.65x
Hornsey 3 3.39x
Kendal 3 10.65x
Lambeth 3 0.49x
Newchurch 3 4.41x
North Meols 3 3.69x
Plumstead 3 3.77x
Spotland 3 3.25x
Thornaby 3 11.57x
Cheetham 2 3.23x
Denbigh 2 18.83x
Kilmarnock 2 3.21x
Leyton Low 2 7.12x
Read 2 90.09x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Higgin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 52
Elizabeth 30
Sarah 29
Margaret 22
Ann 18
Alice 16
Jane 16
Ellen 14
Emma 8
Agnes 7
Hannah 7
Martha 6
Annie 5
Catherine 5
Eliza 5
Susannah 4
Anne 3
Betty 3
Bridget 3
Edith 3
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Grace 3
Julia 3
Laura 3
Lucy 3
Amy 2
Avis 2
Caroline 2
Cathrine 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Esther 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Jessie 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Nancy 2
Rachel 2
Ruth 2
Anna 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Diana 1
Dorothy 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Johanna 1
Titus 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Higgin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 61
William 38
James 33
Thomas 21
Robert 14
Joseph 12
Charles 11
George 10
Alfred 8
Albert 7
Edward 6
David 5
Francis 5
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Christopher 4
Daniel 4
Patrick 4
Walter 4
Frank 3
Henry 3
Mark 3
Matthew 3
Thos. 3
Adolphus 2
Dennis 2
Harry 2
Jonathan 2
Josiah 2
Lawrence 2
Luke 2
Miles 2
Peter 2
Roger 2
Samuel 2
Septimus 2
Tom 2
Arthur 1
Ashton 1
Chas. 1
Farrell 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Giles 1
Gorge 1
Jonas 1
Jos. 1
Julius 1
Lawrance 1
Wm.S. 1

FAQ

Higgin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Higgin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 719 people were recorded with the Higgin surname. That placed it at #5,068 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Higgin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 422 in 2016. That gives Higgin a modern rank of #11,365.

What does the Higgin surname mean?

A surname with Anglo-Norman French roots possibly referring to a craftsman or petty officer.

What does the Higgin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Higgin bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.