Higdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Higdan

What does the name Higdan mean?

Higdan is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the son of Richard. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Higdan family

The surname Higdan was first found in Worcestershire, and after sifting through archival materials, we found one of the first records of the distinguished name was found in Cheshire, where Ranulf Higdon (Higden) (1280-1364) was an English chronicler and Benedictine monk of the monastery of St. Werburgh.

His exact birth location is unknown, but believed to be somewhere in the west of England. He is best remembered as the author of Polychronicon, a long chronicle originally written in Latin which became very popular in the 15th century after it was translated into English in the late 14th century.

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times, and in this case, the name was both a forename and a surname. As a forename, Higdon de Slyngesby, et uxor ejus, ad valorem militis, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 1 and as a surname, John Hikedun was found in the Hundredorum Rolls for Worcestershire in 1273. 1 Richard, son of Hykedon was listed in Cheshire in 1313, John Hikedun was found in Assize Rolls for Worcester in 1221 and later Thomas Hykedon. Hekedon was also found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cheshire in 1327. 2

Early History of the Higdan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higdan research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1364, 1379, 1495, 1505, 1533, 1539, 1640, 1682, 1684, 1688, 1693, 1715 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Higdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Higdan Spelling Variations

Higdan has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Higdan have been found, including Higdon, Higden, Hygdon, Hygden and others.

Early Notables of the Higdan family

Distinguished members of the family include Henry Higden (fl. 1693), English poet and dramatist, a Yorkshireman, "a member of the Middle Temple. He is represented as a man of wit and the companion of all the choice spirits of the town. " 3 William Higden (d. 1715) was an English divine, matriculated sizar of King's College, Cambridge, on 5 April 1682 (University Matriculation Register), and graduated B.A. in 1684, M.A. in 1688. " After the revolution he refused to take the oaths, but eventually conformed, and published in defence of his conduct 'A View of the...
Another 94 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Higdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Higdan family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Higdans to arrive on North American shores: Peter Higdon, who sailed to Massachusetts in 1635; Thomas Higden to Maryland in 1721; Benjamin Higdens settled at Trinity Bay Newfoundland in 1765; and George Higdon at Trinity Bay in 1831..

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print