Cregyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Cregyn

What does the name Cregyn mean?

The Irish name Cregyn has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Cregyn is Ó Croidheagain, from the word "croidhe," which means "heart." 1

Early Origins of the Cregyn family

The surname Cregyn was first found in Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Cregyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cregyn research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1616 is included under the topic Early Cregyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cregyn Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Cregyn that are preserved in archival documents are Cregan, Crean, O'Crean, O'Cryan, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Crehan, Creane and many more.

Early Notables of the Cregyn family

More information is included under the topic Early Cregyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cregyn family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Cregyn to North America: Phillip Crean who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; John Creahan settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Thomas Creane settled in Philadelphia in 1868.

The Cregyn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Cor mundum crea in me, Deus
Motto Translation: Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)