hÉigeartaigh

hÉigeartaigh is an Irish surname. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó hÉigeartaigh. The prefix Ó means "descendant of." The personal name Éigeartach is believed to derive from the word éigean, meaning "necessity" or "force." Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as "descendant of the forced one" or "descendant of the one of necessity."

This sept was traditionally associated with the region of Munster, particularly in the counties of County Clare and County Limerick. The O'Heigertys were a minor Gaelic clan whose historical prominence was not as widespread as some of the larger ruling families. Records indicate their presence in various historical documents and land grants from medieval Ireland.

Over time, as with many Irish surnames, variations in spelling emerged due to anglicization. Common anglicized forms include Hegarty, Hegarty, and Heighington. The distribution of the surname today reflects historical patterns of emigration from Ireland, with significant populations found in countries with large Irish diasporas, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. While the exact historical lineage of every individual bearing the name is difficult to trace, the surname itself holds a connection to the Gaelic past of Ireland.