Crichead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Early Origins of the Crichead family

The surname Crichead was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire. Craighead Law, Craighead Lea or Law hill is said to be a Moot hill, a justice or court hill controlled in feudal times by the local Baron. Stones on its summit appear to be deliberately positioned and a grass covered cairn is clearly visible. The hill is located in what is now known as Lugton, East Ayrshire. Interestingly, Craghead is a former mining village in County Durham.

Early History of the Crichead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crichead research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1700 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Crichead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crichead Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Crichead has appeared as Craighead, Craighede, Craigdaillie, Craigdallie and others.

Early Notables of the Crichead family

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

Migration of the Crichead family

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them: Thomas Craghead who settled in Nantucket in 1774.

The Crichead 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: Securum presidium
Motto Translation: A secure fortress.