Creegan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Irish name Creegan has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Creegan is Ó Croidheagain, from the word "croidhe," which means "heart." 1
Early Origins of the Creegan family
The surname Creegan 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 Creegan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creegan research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1616 is included under the topic Early Creegan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Creegan Spelling Variations
A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Creegan include Cregan, Crean, O'Crean, O'Cryan, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Crehan, Creane and many more.
Early Notables of the Creegan family
More information is included under the topic Early Creegan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Creegan migration to the United States +
In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Creegan family came to North America quite early:
Creegan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Terrence Creegan, who settled in Philadelphia in 1829
Creegan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Patrick Creegan, aged 19, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Aquitania" from Liverpool, England 2
- Mary Creegan, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Sixaola" from Glasgow, Scotland 2
- Andrew Creegan, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Sixaola" from Glasgow, Scotland 2
Creegan 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:
Creegan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- John Creegan, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Bluff, New Zealand aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" in 1875
Contemporary Notables of the name Creegan (post 1700) +
- Mark Creegan (1864-1920), born Mark Kragen, American Major League Baseball outfielder who played from for the Washington Nationals in 1884
- Raymond A. Creegan, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Providence, Rhode Island, 1945-61 (acting, 1945-46) 3
- Dr Nicola Hoggard Creegan, New Zealand Senior Lecturer-School of Theology, Mission and Ministry at Laidlaw College, Auckland
The Creegan 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.
Citations +