Origins Available: Irish,
Scottish
The surname is one of the many Irish surnames rooted in Gaelic language native to
Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name Creag is Craobhach, derived from the word "craobh," which means "branch."
Early Origins of the Creag family
The surname Creag was first found in
County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of
Ireland in the province of
Munster, where this ancient Irish family was descended from King Niall of "the Nine Hostages," the great General King, who in turn was descended from the
Heremon line of Irish Kings. The Creaghs were one of the celebrated septs and leading gentry of the
County Clare. They were a branch of the O'Neills of
County Clare and tradition has it that they carried green branches with them into battle against the Norsemen at
Limerick. Their name is derived from the Irish surname Craobhach, which is the adjective formed from the noun "craob," a branch. Other names are derived from this source as well such as Cray, the anglicized form of O Craoibhe meaning "descendant of Craobhach."
Early History of the Creag family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creag research.
Another 441 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1848, 1923, 1705, 1585, 1541, 1585, 1676, 1693, 1500, 1505, 1514, 1518, 1520, 1523 and 1689 are included under the topic Early Creag History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Creag Spelling Variations
Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of
Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer.
Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Creag family name include Creagh, Crear, Creag, Creavagh, Cray and others.
Early Notables of the Creag family (pre 1700)
Prominent amongst the family at this time was Archbishop of
Dublin, Dr. Pierce Creagh; and Richard Creagh (died 1585), born in
Limerick, he was an Irish Catholic Archbishop of Armagh who died in the Tower of London, his nephew Peter Creagh, was Bishop of Cork and Cloyne from 1676 to 1693...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Creag Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Creag family to the New World and Oceana
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 Creag to North America:
Creag Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Isabella Creag, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1772