Craghead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Early Origins of the Craghead family

The surname Craghead 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 Craghead family

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

Craghead Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Craghead has been spelled Craighead, Craighede, Craigdaillie, Craigdallie and others.

Early Notables of the Craghead family

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

Craghead migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

Craghead Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Craghead who settled in Nantucket in 1774

Contemporary Notables of the name Craghead (post 1700) +

Howard Craghead (1908-1962), nicknamed "Judge", American Major League Baseball Player who played for the Cleveland Indians (1931-1933) and later Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II

The Craghead 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.