Higham

The surname Higham is of Old English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Heg-Ham." The name is locational, indicating a person who hailed from one of the various places called Higham in England. These place names are composed of the elements "heah," meaning high, and "hamm," meaning enclosure or land hemmed in by water or marsh.

The Higham surname is widely distributed across England, especially in the regions of Kent, Suffolk, and Northamptonshire. The name has deep historical roots in these areas, with early records dating back to the medieval period.

In the feudal system of medieval England, surnames often emerged as a means of identifying individuals by their place of origin or occupation. In the case of Higham, individuals who were residents of or had connections to a place named Higham adopted the surname to establish their identity.

Over the centuries, the Higham name has spread beyond its original locations, and descendants of Higham families can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world.

Notable individuals with the surname Higham have made contributions in various fields, including academia, the arts, sports, and public service. The name continues to be passed down through generations, preserving a connection to its ancestral origins in England.

There are approximately 5,799 people named Higham in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,629th most common surname in Britain. Around 89 in a million people in Britain are named Higham.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Ann
  • Barbara
  • Emma
  • Joanne
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Pamela
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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