Locations

As my research mounted up, my main surprise was to discover how widespread the use of the name was, and from a date earlier than I had anticipated. From references such as the Index to Particular Register of Sasines for Fife and Kinross, 1617-1660, it can be seen quite clearly what the early distribution was. It must be borne in mind, however, that it was only those people who had dealings concerning land who were mentioned, and that may only be a small proportion. The name also crops up in Burgh Records and Church Session Records. It can be seen from these documents that, with few exceptions, locations are dotted round the coast; St Andrews, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Kinghorn. As time went by, more seem to be found inland, many involved in farming.

Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Abbotshall (formed from parts of Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn in 1650) and Kinghorn show the greatest number of record entries over extended periods of time. It is most fortunate that the Old Parochial Records of Dysart and Kinghorn are among the earliest.

Fife has the highest density of Heggies in the world.

Spelling

If documents are presented as they were written, we can make up our own mind about a name. If records have been transcribed, or indexed, it must be taken on trust, that the person mentioned was indeed a Heggie. The range of speling encountered is wide - Haigie, Hage, Hagy, Haigy, Hagis, Heagie, Hegy, Hegie, Hege, Hegge, to name but a few. I think there could be confusion with other surnames like Haig or Hay which I think are akin. I do not subscribe to the view that Heggie is derived from a highland name.

Kirkcaldy Provosts

Evidence that there were four Kirkcaldy Provosts named Heggie, and not two, which is the accepted belief. 

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