Show ContentsCreane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Creane

What does the name Creane mean?

The Irish name Creane has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Creane is Ó Croidheagain, from the word "croidhe," which means "heart." 1

Early Origins of the Creane family

The surname Creane 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 Creane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creane research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1616 is included under the topic Early Creane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Creane Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Creane are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Cregan, Crean, O'Crean, O'Cryan, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Crehan, Creane and many more.

Early Notables of the Creane family

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


Creane migration to the United States +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Creane family in North America:

Creane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Creane, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868

Creane migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Creane Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Creane, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1837 aboard the brig "Thetis" from Cork, Ireland

Contemporary Notables of the name Creane (post 1700) +

  • Chris Creane, American actor, known for Little Sister (2020), Florida Man (2020) and The Flat Ball (2020)
  • Scott Creane, American artist, known for Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Prometheus (2012) and Men in Black: International (2019)
  • Lynette "Lynne" Creane, English dancer and actress, born in South London, known for The Count of Monte Cristo (2024), Messalinas Offer (2019), and Bollywood film Promise Dad (2019)


The Creane 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.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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