Craig History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of first people to use the name Craig. The name was found in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), and other shires across Scotland. The Craig surname is derived Scottish Gaelic word creag, meaning "a rock" which became the Scottish word "craig." Craig is parish in Forfarshire which was "formerly called Inchbrayock, the 'island of trout,' by which name an island of thirty-four Scotch acres within the parish is still known. Craig was at that time only the designation of one of the chief estates, and it is supposed that, when the place of worship was transferred from the island to the property of Craig on the continental part of the district, the name of Craig, which is naturally derived from the rocky nature of the shore, was extended to the whole of the parish." 1

Early Origins of the Craig family

The surname Craig was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland. This northern Clan was frequently associated with the Gordons, but their first records appeared in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire to the south about 1180. One of the first records of the name was Johannes del Crag who was witness to a charter by William the Lion. Later, Robertus de Crag witnessed a charter by Alexander II. 2

Early History of the Craig family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Craig research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1296, 1300, 1335, 1440, 1512, 1538, 1567, 1569, 1586, 1600, 1608, 1620, 1622, 1627, 1663, 1731 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Craig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Craig Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Craig has appeared Craig, Craigh, Creag, Creagh and others.

Early Notables of the Craig family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Craig World Ranking

In the United States, the name Craig is the 288th most popular surname with an estimated 94,506 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Craig is ranked the 300th most popular surname with an estimated 14,651 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Craig is the 298th popular surname with an estimated 11,901 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Craig as 158th with 3,232 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Craig as 266th with 22,787 people. 8

Migration of the Craig family to Ireland

Some of the Craig family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Craig migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Craig:

Craig Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Craig Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Craig migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Craig Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Craig Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Craig migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Craig Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Craig migration to New Zealand +

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:

Craig Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Craig (post 1700) +


The Craig 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: Vive ut vivas
Motto Translation: Live that you may live for ever


Suggested Readings for the name Craig +
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