Creigh History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe tale of the name Creigh begins with a family who lived in the lands of Creich in Fife. "This place is supposed to have derived its name, signifying in the Gaelic language, rocky or rugged ground, from the general appearance of its surface. " 1 Criech is a parish, in the county of Sutherland, 11½ miles from Tain. "This place is famed for a contest which happened in the eleventh or twelfth century, between the Scots and the Danes, at Druimleah, near Bonar-Bridge, whence the invaders, after being completely routed, retired to their ships at Portnacoulter, at present called the Meikle Ferry. " 1 Early Origins of the Creigh familyThe surname Creigh was first found in Fife, at Creich, derived from the ancient Celtic word "crug" which means a mound or hill. 2 "The parish of Creich, in the northern part of Fifeshire, contains the remains of an ancient casde but there is no trace of any family bearing the name occupying the lands. Douenaldus (i.e. Donald) de Creych, a cleric, was one of the witnesses to a confirmation charter by Walter, son of Alan of the land of Tubermor between 1204 and 1241. " 3 While the surname hails from Scotland, there are at least two listing of the same name further south in England, specifically Creech East in Dorset and Creech St. Michael in Somerset. Both date back to the Domesday Book where they were listed as Cris and Crixe, respectively. 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Robert de Criche, Nottinghamshire 5 and Kirby's Quest listed Peter de Cryche, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 6 Early History of the Creigh familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creigh research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1403, 1423, 1429, 1544, 1585, 1611, 1659, 1693, 1700, 1720, 1745 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Creigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Creigh Spelling VariationsBefore the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Creigh has been spelled Creech, Creich, Creigh, Craich, Creych, Creyche and others. Early Notables of the Creigh familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was Thomas Creech (1659-1700), an English translator of classical works, and headmaster of Sherborne School, born at Blandford in Dorset. His...
In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Creigh: Creigh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Creigh Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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