O'Higgins Family
Encyclopedia
O'Higginsis an Irish noble family descended from Sheán Duff O'Higgins (fl.
1600 AD), Baron of Ballynary who was married to a daughter of the Royal family of O'Conor
at Ballintuber Castle in Connacht. Shean Duff O'Higgins himself claimed descent from King Niall of Tara (d. 450 AD). The family are counted among the Gaelic nobility as a sept of the Royal House of O'Neill
and were further ennobled in 1788 by Carlos III and in 1792 by Carlos IV of Spain and in 1724 by King James III of England while in exile in France.
Some notable members of this family are:
Tadhg Dall Ó hUigin
, d. 1595, celebrated poet and Lord of Dooghorne.
Shean Duff O'Higgins
, fl. 1600, Baron of Ballynary.
Don Ambrose O'Higgins d. 1801, Marquess de Osorno, Barón de Valenar.
Sir John Higgins
of Montoge, d. 1729, Knight, Baronet and Counsillor of Castille.
Don Bernardo O'Higgins
, d. 1842, 1st Head of State of Chile.
which equate to the modern Irish counties of Meath
and Westmeath. As a sept of the Southern Uí Néill
their roots in these areas can be traced at least to the 5th century and possibly even earlier. By the 12th century the senior branch of the family had migrated into the Kingdom of Connacht where they settled and were granted large estates by the O'Conors
in Sligo
at Dooghorne and Monteige in the Barony of Luighne
under the protection of the O'Hara Chiefs and at Ballynary
in the Barony of Tir-Errill under the protection of the MacDonagh Chiefs.
From the Council of Drom Ceat in 574 AD up to the end of the Gaelic era in the 17th century the O'Higgins were hereditary poets (filés in Irish) in the courts of Irish Princes and Chiefs
. As hereditary poets they were accorded a status of nobility equal to the King and were entitled to wear the same amount of colours in their robes. Members of this family came under the patronage of other Irish noble houses particularly Ó Conor
, Ó Neill
, MacDonagh, Ó Rourke
, Maguire
, Ó Doherty, Mac Dermot and Ó Gara
. From the 14th to the 17th centuries the O'Higgins were among the most prolific poets in the courts of the Irish Princes and included among others:
Tadhg Mór Ó hUiginn (d.1315),
Giolla na Naomh Ó hUiginn (d. 1349),
Raghnall Ó hUiginn (d. 1325),
Niall Ó hUiginn (d. 1340),
Tadhg Óg mac Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn (d. 1391),
Uilliam Ó hUiginn (d. 1378),
Ruaidhri Ruadh Ó hUiginn (d. 1425),
Fearghal Ruadh mac Taidhg mheic Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn,
Tadhg Óg mac Taidhg mheic Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn (d. 1448),
Tuathal Ó hUiginn (d. 1450), Brian Ó hUiginn (d. 1476),
Domhnall mac Briain Uí Uiginn (d. 1502),
Pilip Bocht Ó hUiginn (d. 1487),
Seán mac Ruaidhri Uí Uiginn, and Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn (1550–1617).
Sean mac Fergail Óg Ó hUigin
(d. 1490 AD) became Chief Ollamh of Ireland which was the most senior title for any man of letters in Gealic Ireland .
After the fall of the Gaelic Order in the 17th century the O'Higgins family suffered for their loyalty to the Irish way of life and were evicted from their estates at Dooghorne, Monteige and Ballynary
in Sligo
and at Kilbeg
in Westmeath by forces loyal to Oliver Cromwell
. The senior line of the family who were the Barons of Ballynary
in Sligo
migrated to Summerhill
in County Meath
where in 1721 a relative had become the Roman Catholic Parish Priest. Other members of the family fled to Spain
and France
where they entered the service of Catholic monarchs sympathetic to their plight.
In 1751 Ambrose O'Higgins (b. 1720 d. 1801) left Summerhill
in Co. Meath
for Cadiz
in Spain
from where he went to Peru
and Chile
. In 1788 he became Governor General
of Chile
and was ennobled by King Carlos III
as 1st Barón de Ballinar and raised to Marquess de Osorno in 1792 by Carlos IV. His son Bernardo O'Higgins
became the first Head of State of Chile
in 1818.
Sir John Higgins
Bt of Monteige was knighted and ennobled by King James III
in 1724 in return for his services to France
.
The Ballynary
line of the O'Higgins family continued at Summerhill
in County Meath
until 1947. Thomas O'Higgins Esq. of Cheshire
in England
now represents the family title. The O'Higgins family are armigerous in Ireland (1788) and in Spain (1796 and 2011)..
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1600 AD), Baron of Ballynary who was married to a daughter of the Royal family of O'Conor
O'Conor Don
The Ó Conchubhair Donn is the hereditary Prince and Chief of the Name of the Royal Family of Connacht, the Clan Ó Conchubhair.-Overview:...
at Ballintuber Castle in Connacht. Shean Duff O'Higgins himself claimed descent from King Niall of Tara (d. 450 AD). The family are counted among the Gaelic nobility as a sept of the Royal House of O'Neill
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
and were further ennobled in 1788 by Carlos III and in 1792 by Carlos IV of Spain and in 1724 by King James III of England while in exile in France.
Some notable members of this family are:
Tadhg Dall Ó hUigin
Tadhg Dall Ó hÚigínn
-Background:One of the most well-known of the late-Gaelic era poets, he was a member of a family of professional poets from north Connacht. He was called dall because he was blind. His mother's name is unknown. His father was Mathghamhain mac Maolhmuire, directly descended from Tadg Óg Ó hÚigínn ....
, d. 1595, celebrated poet and Lord of Dooghorne.
Shean Duff O'Higgins
Ballynary
Ballynary is the name of a townland on the eastern shore of Lough Arrow in the southern corner of County Sligo in Ireland. Ballynary was the ancestral seat of the O'Higgins family for 700 years, until they were forced off their lands in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell...
, fl. 1600, Baron of Ballynary.
Don Ambrose O'Higgins d. 1801, Marquess de Osorno, Barón de Valenar.
Sir John Higgins
John Higgins of Montoge
Sir John Higgins of Montoge was a descendent of the O'Higgins of Montiagh an Irish noble family who lost their lands in Sligo under the English Crown about 1649. His parents were a Dr. Patrick Higgins of Limerick City and his wife Mary Loftus of Annacotty...
of Montoge, d. 1729, Knight, Baronet and Counsillor of Castille.
Don Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was a Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. Although he was the second Supreme Director of Chile , he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder...
, d. 1842, 1st Head of State of Chile.
Family Name
The name originates in the Irish personal name "uigin" used for a Norse sea fairer or viking. In Gaelic times the prefix Uí before a name was used to signify descent from a grandson, this family are said to have descended from the grandson of Uiginn who lived in the 11th century or possibly from a previous Uiginn who was a grandson of King Niall of Tara . In modern times the surname has often been translated from Irish into "Higgins" in English although the most senior branches of the family continue to use "O'Higgins".Family History
The O'Higgins family originated in the Kingdoms of Mide and BregaBrega
Brega may refer to:*Brega , an inhabited location in Libya**Marsa Brega Airport, the airport for Brega-People:...
which equate to the modern Irish counties of Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Westmeath. As a sept of the Southern Uí Néill
Southern Uí Néill
The Southern Uí Néill or Uí Néill Deisceart were that branch of the Uí Néill dynasty that invaded and settled in the Kingdom of Mide and its associated kingdoms....
their roots in these areas can be traced at least to the 5th century and possibly even earlier. By the 12th century the senior branch of the family had migrated into the Kingdom of Connacht where they settled and were granted large estates by the O'Conors
O'Conor Don
The Ó Conchubhair Donn is the hereditary Prince and Chief of the Name of the Royal Family of Connacht, the Clan Ó Conchubhair.-Overview:...
in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
at Dooghorne and Monteige in the Barony of Luighne
Luighne Connacht
Luighne Connacht was a territory located in north-central Connacht, on the boarders of what is now County Mayo and County Sligo.-Origin:The Luighne were a people, originally found in Brega, south of Kells in what is now County Meath. The baronys of Lune in Meath, and Leyney in Sligo, were called...
under the protection of the O'Hara Chiefs and at Ballynary
Ballynary
Ballynary is the name of a townland on the eastern shore of Lough Arrow in the southern corner of County Sligo in Ireland. Ballynary was the ancestral seat of the O'Higgins family for 700 years, until they were forced off their lands in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell...
in the Barony of Tir-Errill under the protection of the MacDonagh Chiefs.
From the Council of Drom Ceat in 574 AD up to the end of the Gaelic era in the 17th century the O'Higgins were hereditary poets (filés in Irish) in the courts of Irish Princes and Chiefs
Chiefs of the Name
The Chief of the Name, or in older English usage Captain of his Nation, is the recognised head of a family or clan...
. As hereditary poets they were accorded a status of nobility equal to the King and were entitled to wear the same amount of colours in their robes. Members of this family came under the patronage of other Irish noble houses particularly Ó Conor
O'Conor Don
The Ó Conchubhair Donn is the hereditary Prince and Chief of the Name of the Royal Family of Connacht, the Clan Ó Conchubhair.-Overview:...
, Ó Neill
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
, MacDonagh, Ó Rourke
O'Rourke
The O'Rourkes were the historic rulers of Breifne.O'Rourke may refer to several different people:-People:* Andrew O'Rourke, judge and politician from New York State* Beto O'Rourke , American entrepreneur and civic leader...
, Maguire
Maguire (surname)
Maguire is an Irish surname from the Gaelic Mag Uidhir, which is 'son of Odhar,' the eleventh in descent from Colla-da-chrich, great-grandson of Cormac mac Airt, monarch of Ireland about the middle of the third century. Maguire is a three Syllable word....
, Ó Doherty, Mac Dermot and Ó Gara
Ó Gadhra
Ó Gadhra or O'Gara is an Irish surname which originated in the kingdom of Luighne Connacht.-Background:The first O'Gara's were descendants of the Gailenga people...
. From the 14th to the 17th centuries the O'Higgins were among the most prolific poets in the courts of the Irish Princes and included among others:
Tadhg Mór Ó hUiginn (d.1315),
Giolla na Naomh Ó hUiginn (d. 1349),
Raghnall Ó hUiginn (d. 1325),
Niall Ó hUiginn (d. 1340),
Tadhg Óg mac Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn (d. 1391),
Uilliam Ó hUiginn (d. 1378),
Ruaidhri Ruadh Ó hUiginn (d. 1425),
Fearghal Ruadh mac Taidhg mheic Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn,
Tadhg Óg mac Taidhg mheic Giolla Choluim Ó hUiginn (d. 1448),
Tuathal Ó hUiginn (d. 1450), Brian Ó hUiginn (d. 1476),
Domhnall mac Briain Uí Uiginn (d. 1502),
Pilip Bocht Ó hUiginn (d. 1487),
Seán mac Ruaidhri Uí Uiginn, and Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn (1550–1617).
Sean mac Fergail Óg Ó hUigin
Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hÚigínn
Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hUiccinn was an Irish poet.Ó hUiccinn was an Irish poet who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland. His father was Farrell Óg Ó hUiccinn. His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows: "M1490.16 O'Higgin, i.e...
(d. 1490 AD) became Chief Ollamh of Ireland which was the most senior title for any man of letters in Gealic Ireland .
After the fall of the Gaelic Order in the 17th century the O'Higgins family suffered for their loyalty to the Irish way of life and were evicted from their estates at Dooghorne, Monteige and Ballynary
Ballynary
Ballynary is the name of a townland on the eastern shore of Lough Arrow in the southern corner of County Sligo in Ireland. Ballynary was the ancestral seat of the O'Higgins family for 700 years, until they were forced off their lands in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell...
in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
and at Kilbeg
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
in Westmeath by forces loyal to Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
. The senior line of the family who were the Barons of Ballynary
Ballynary
Ballynary is the name of a townland on the eastern shore of Lough Arrow in the southern corner of County Sligo in Ireland. Ballynary was the ancestral seat of the O'Higgins family for 700 years, until they were forced off their lands in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell...
in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
migrated to Summerhill
Summerhill, County Meath
Summerhill is a village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the R156 and R158 regional roads. The Irish version of the town's name means "Lynch's Hill", and it was the ancestral home of the Norman-Irish Lynch family, whence came the Galway merchant family of the same...
in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
where in 1721 a relative had become the Roman Catholic Parish Priest. Other members of the family fled to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where they entered the service of Catholic monarchs sympathetic to their plight.
Summerhill, County Meath
Summerhill is a village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the R156 and R158 regional roads. The Irish version of the town's name means "Lynch's Hill", and it was the ancestral home of the Norman-Irish Lynch family, whence came the Galway merchant family of the same...
in Co. Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
for Cadiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
from where he went to Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. In 1788 he became Governor General
Royal Governor of Chile
The Royal Governor of Chile ruled over the Spanish colonial administrative district known as the Kingdom of Chile. This district was also called the Captaincy General of Chile, and as a result the Royal Governor also held the title of a Captain General...
of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and was ennobled by King Carlos III
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
as 1st Barón de Ballinar and raised to Marquess de Osorno in 1792 by Carlos IV. His son Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was a Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. Although he was the second Supreme Director of Chile , he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder...
became the first Head of State of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
in 1818.
Sir John Higgins
John Higgins of Montoge
Sir John Higgins of Montoge was a descendent of the O'Higgins of Montiagh an Irish noble family who lost their lands in Sligo under the English Crown about 1649. His parents were a Dr. Patrick Higgins of Limerick City and his wife Mary Loftus of Annacotty...
Bt of Monteige was knighted and ennobled by King James III
James Francis Edward Stuart
James Francis Edward, Prince of Wales was the son of the deposed James II of England...
in 1724 in return for his services to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The Ballynary
Ballynary
Ballynary is the name of a townland on the eastern shore of Lough Arrow in the southern corner of County Sligo in Ireland. Ballynary was the ancestral seat of the O'Higgins family for 700 years, until they were forced off their lands in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell...
line of the O'Higgins family continued at Summerhill
Summerhill, County Meath
Summerhill is a village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the R156 and R158 regional roads. The Irish version of the town's name means "Lynch's Hill", and it was the ancestral home of the Norman-Irish Lynch family, whence came the Galway merchant family of the same...
in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
until 1947. Thomas O'Higgins Esq. of Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
now represents the family title. The O'Higgins family are armigerous in Ireland (1788) and in Spain (1796 and 2011)..