An Armas na hUiginn
The O'Higgins Arms
Traditionally, an Arms is granted to an individual and not to a family as is commonly believed. Although there is some strong oppinion held that certain Arms in use since Gaelic times are in fact "Sept Arms" (MacLysaght, 1996) and as such can be used by all those who descend from one of the original Gaelic Septs (http://www.heraldry.ws/info/article04.html). However, for the most part, despite the wide modern practice of buying and selling so called "Family Coats of Arms" there is in fact no such thing in Irish, Scottish or English Law.
Since 1552 Coats of Arms have been granted or confirmed in Ireland by what is known today as the "Chief Herald of Ireland". This office was originally established as the Ulster King of Arms and represented the English monarch's authority in Ireland.
There is no record in the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland for an original grant of Arms to any O'Higgins before 1788. This is not surprsising as MacLysaght (1979) explains:
"...almost all the old Gaelic families used arms, though those who had resisted the process of anglizisation did not, naturally enough, go through the formality of having them recorded in an office representing an authority to which they gave but a very reluctant allegiance." (p.24).
So it would seem that the O'Higgins Arms may have been in use from the Gaelic period, before the establishment of the Chief Herald's Office, and that the O'Higgins never sought approval for it from the English Chief Herald in Dublin.
The earliest record of an O'Higgins in the Office of the Chief Herald is in the Funeral Entries (1638) which were kept by the Ulster King of Arms in Dublin. It is recorded that Tadhg O'Higgins of Kilbeg near Kinnegad in Co. Westmeath died and was burried in 1633. He was married to the daughter of the Gaelic Chief, O'Brennan. However, there is no mention of an O'Higgins Arms or Crest in the Book of Funeral Entries.
Later on, in 1788, the then Ulster King of Arms and Chief Herald of Ireland, Chichester Fortesque allowed an Arms to Don Ambrose O'Higgins, Barón de Ballinar and Marquis of Osorno on his presentation of his pedigree which outlined his nobility and lineage from the original Sligo O'Higgins, Lords of Ballynary. It is not clear if this Arms was based on a previously existing "sept" arms or if it was a totally new grant. Either way the 1788 Arms has been used by the O'Higgins of Ballynary and the wider family since then.
Description: The O'Higgins Coat of Arms consists of a white shield to represent sincerity and peace, covered with ermine to represent the aristocratic origins of the family in Gaelic Ireland. There is then a black fess across this which represents honour. This fess contains three castle towers which represent grandeur, society, and wealth.
The Crest on top of the Arms is of a Demi-Griffin with extended wings, emerging from a castle tower, holding a sword dexter which represents the vigilant service of a noble or a Knight.
The Motto of The O'Higgins is "Pro Patria" which means "For (my) Country".
The Arms, Crest and Motto are all clearly symbolic of the O'Higgins' position in the nobility of Ireland in Gaelic times, during which they served the Kings of Connacht and Ireland.
A specially commissioned lapel pin which represents the shield from the above Coat of Arms is available to Clan members for €20 plus postage. If you would like to purchase this pin please send your draft/cheque to Ms. Siobhán O'Higgins-O'Reilly, Cisteoir, The O'Higgins Clan Society, 4 Dursey Row, Waterville, Dublin 15, Ireland.
References: MacLysaght, E. (1996) More Irish Families (Dublin: Irish Academic Press Ltd). MacLysaght, E. (1979) Irish Life in the Seventeenth Century (Dublin: Irish Academic Press).