The Higginbottom Family

What follows is information I have gathered from issues of The Higginbottom Family Bulletin, which was produced and edited by Frank Higenbottam of Canterbury England. I have most of the issues from 1972 to 1978, although Frank continued to publish the newsletters until his death on the 2nd of July 1982 (The last issue he published was June 1982). I have been told that Frank's papers were offered to the Stockport Library and that is where they are now.

Variant Spellings

The following diagram suggests the variety of the possible spellings of this name.

    ch a

  e ck e         t a

H i  g i n  b o th o m (e)

  y gg y ng     tt u

    gh

     k

A search of the telephone directories of the England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland, the Isle of Man, Eire and the Channel Isles in 1973 suggests the most common variants and the percent of listings using that spelling are:

• HIGGINBOTTOM (42%)
• HIGGINBOTHAM (21%)
• HEGINBOTHAM (9%)
• HICKINBOTTOM (9%)
• HICKINBOTHAM (8%)
• HEGINBOTTOM (3%)
• HECKINGBOTTOM (2%)
• HIGENBOTTAM (1%)
• HIGINBOTHAM (1%)

To avoid confusion I will try to stick to the most common spelling unless the person in question appeared to use a different spelling.

History of the Surname

The name Higginbottom means "dweller in the fenced valley." Although the actual valley the family is named for is not known, there was a reference that mentioned it was in the county of Chest (likely Cheshire) in deed dated 1458. A power of attorney from dated 21 Feb. 1447/8 from Cheshire mentions a John and James Hekenbotham, so it was clearly in use as a name by then. There is also a reference to an Ottywell Higginbotham born in in prob. Marple, Cheshire in about 1450 and it's possible that a 16 July 1318 land grant which mentions William de Okynbothum is an earlier reference, but this is by no means certain.

The Lines

What follows is a summary of some of the lines of the family and the origins of those lines. This is only a partial list, it will grow as time permits.

It is commonly accepted that all the members of the Higginbottom family are related
regardless of the spelling used.

England

• Cheshire - As the above history notes, it is very possible that the name originated in the Cheshire/Derbyshire area. As would be expected, "all roads lead to Cheshire" if you follow them far enough. Many places in Cheshire are mentioned in the various lines, some of the more common places (parishes or towns) are Bramhall, Marple, Stockport, Poynton, Prestbury, Bosden, Romiley and Cheadle.
• Lancashire - There is a strong presence in this county including Manchester and Ashton-Under-Lyne
• Yorkshire - Saddleworth, Yorkshire - This line descends from that of Hyde, Cheshire. Researcher - Frank Pearson
• Warwickshire - At least some of the Higginbothams from Birmingham, Warwickshire ended up in Staffordshire
• Staffordshire - A Thomas Higgenbotham of Staffordshire had family that ended up in Missouri, USA and New York, USA. The family appears to have been in Staffordshire at least as early as 18 June 1545 when the will of John Hyggynbothum was written.
• Derbyshire - A notable line comes from Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire.

Ireland

This line may descend from John Higginbotham who went to Ireland from Lancashire with Oliver Cromwell in about 1650. There were also three Higginbotham brothers with William of Orange in the battle of the Boyne in 1690. A relationship between the brothers and John is possible, but not established.

Australia

George Higinbotham (1826-1892) was Chief Justice of Victoria, Australia He descends from the Irish line. from (1886-1892)

New Zealand

This line may descend from William Hickinbotham of Smethwick, Worchestershire.

India

The firm Higginbothams Ltd. of Madras was the largest bookseller and printer in southern India. Higginbothams in India date from as far back as 1784 when Joseph Higginbotham of Ireland was a private with the third Indian Battalion. His son was a Lieut. with H.M. 69 East India Foot Regiment and the founders of the booksellers descend from him.

Burmuda

Those in Burmuda appear to descend from the family in Annapolis, Maryland, USA which, in turn, descends from the
Irish line.

United States

These lines are not an exhaustive list, but may offer some clues where to look.

• Maryland - Annapolis From Thomas Higinbotham of Tullymaglowny, Ireland
• Missouri - (Kansas City) From John Higginbotham b. 1829 in Staffordshire
• Virginia - From Jo. Hickcombottom who sailed for VA aboard the Bonaventure 2 Jan 1634/5.
• Pennsylvania - John Hickenbottom left for Philadelphia aboard the Sally after 31 May 1774.
• Iowa - From John Heginbotham of Stockport Cheshire bapt. 23 Dec 1849
• Colarado - From John Heginbotham of Stockport Cheshire bapt. 23 Dec 1849

[Main Page] - [Query Form] - [Send Mail]