Taoiseach do na hUigínn
Chieftain of the O'Higgins
Regarding Gaelic titles , there has been in recent times some disagreement about whether the succession of such designations today should be decided by tanistry or primogeniture. Some recent genealogical and heraldic scholars, most notably Edward MacLysaght 1st Chief Herald of Ireland, favour primogeniture as the most practical system while some of the current Gaelic Chiefs favour the system of tanistry and other clan societies simply elect honourary Chiefs. The modern O'Higgins Clan recognises the Ballynary line as the most senior line of the O'Higgins and as such its head as titular Chief of the O'Higgins. This should not be confused with the title "Chief of the Name" which was previously awarded by the Chief Herald of Ireland and is no longer validated under Irish Law.
Below you can see the descent of two early and related O'Higgins lines.
Firstly, the descent of the Gaelic Lordship of Ballynary from Shean Duff O'Higgins (b. ca. 1600) who is recorded in the Chief Herald's Office in Dublin as being "styled Baron of Ballynary in the County of Sligo" (GO MS 87). The fact that the O'Higgins Arms was allowed to his descendents in 1788 indicates that this line was recognised at that time as the senior line of the family. The lack of documentary evidence for two links in this line after they initially re-settled in Summerhill, Co. Meath in 1721 makes these links a little uncertain from a genealogical perspective. However, having considered the evidence available the O'Higgins Clan today honours the senior male in this line as Chieftain.
Gaelic Lordship of Ballynary in the Counrty of Sligo
|
Family Seat |
Succession |
Source |
Comment |
|
|
|||
|
Ballynary, Co. Sligo |
1.Shean Duff O'Higgins |
GO MS 87, fo. 169: G.O. MS. 165, fo. 396 |
Descended from the O'Higgins of Connacht, styled as Baron of Ballynary, married to a daughter of the Royal O'Conor of Ballintuber Castle. |
|
|
2.Roger O'Higgins his son |
GO MS 87, fo. 169: G.O. MS. 165, fo. 396 |
The O'Higgins, Lord of Ballynary, lost lands under Cromwell |
|
|
3.Charles O'Higgins his son |
GO MS 87, fo. 169: G.O. MS. 165, fo. 396 |
The O'Higgins, Lord of Ballynary, married to a daughter of William O'Higgins Esq. and Winifred O'Fallon who was descended from Muireadach Muilleathán 16th King of Connacht. |
|
Summerhill, Co.Meath |
4.Charles O'Higgins his son |
Buried at Agher, Summerhill, Co. Meath with his wife Catherine Higgins d. 1802. |
Tenant Farmer in Summerhill, Co. Meath. |
|
5.John Higgins (b. 1755) his son |
Buried at Agher, Summerhill, Co. Meath with his wife Mary Higgins d. 1805. |
Evicted for supporting 1798 Rebellion in Co. Meath. |
|
|
|
6.Thomas Higgins (1790-1870) his son |
Summerhill Parish, Co.Meath & Civil Records |
Received money from Bernardo O'Higgins of Chile ca. 1808. |
|
|
7.John Higgins (b. 1825) his son |
Summerhill Parish, Co.Meath & Civil Records |
Lived on Ardrums Estate in Summerhill, Co. Meath |
|
|
8.Thomas Higgins (b. 1872) his son |
Summerhill Parish, Co.Meath & Civil Records |
Lived on Ardrums Estate in Summerhill, Co. Meath |
|
|
9.Patrick O’Higgins (b.1877-1946) his cousin |
Summerhill Parish, Co.Meath & Civil Records |
Married to Mary Power of Waterford. |
|
|
10.Patrick J. O’Higgins (b.1907-1974) his son |
Civil Records Dublin |
War of Independence 1916-1921 and World War II Medal |
|
11. C.T. O'Higgins (b. 1934) |
Civil Records Dublin |
Acclaimed by O'Higgins Clan as Chieftain. |
Secondly, the descent of The O'Higgins of Kilbeg in Co. Westmeath is presented.
This line is recorded in the Funeral Entries for the year 1638 in the Chief Herald's Office in Dublin. However, the line became obscured after the Cromellian transplantation.
Gaelic Lordship of Kilbeg in the Couny of Westmeath
| Family Seat | Succession | Source | Comment |
| Kilbeg, Co. Westmeath | 1.Twohill Ó hUiginn (b. ca. 1460) | GO MS 69:161 | Descended from the O'Higgins of Connacht |
| 2.Tadhg Ó hUiginn his son (b. ca. 1490) | GO MS 69:161 | ||
| 3.Brian Ó hUigín (b. ca. 1520) his son | GO MS 69:161 | ||
| 4.Tadhg Ó Higgins (d. 1633) his son | GO MS 69:161-162 | Married to a daughter of O'Brennan. Buried at Ardnorroghire in Co. Westmeath. Had lands re-granted by James I in 1623. | |
| 5.John O'Higgins (b. ca. 1580) his son | GO MS 69:161 | Lost lands under Cromwell in 1653-54. |