Cregan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Cregan family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Cregan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• William Cregan, who landed in New York in 1819 2
• James Cregan, who settled in Philadelphia in 1860
• Annie Cregan, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Cavan, in 1892
• Bernd. Cregan, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Ballymahon, in 1892

Cregan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Christopher Cregan, aged 28, who landed in America from London, in 1904
• Annie Cregan, aged 18, who settled in America from Limerick, Ireland, in 1904
• Bridget Cregan, aged 55, who landed in America from Tarbert, Ireland, in 1907
• Ellie Cregan, aged 19, who settled in America from Ballyduff, Ireland, in 1908
• Denis Cregan, aged 36, who landed in America from Shanagolden, Ireland, in 1908
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cregan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Cregan, aged 56 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Eliza Caroline" departing 5th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th June 1847 but he died on board 3
• Mr. Patrick Cregan, aged 7 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Eliza Caroline" departing 5th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th June 1847 but he died on board 3

Cregan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Johanna Cregan, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Dirigo" 4

• John Cregan (1878-1965), American Olympian who won a silver medal at the 1900 games
• Michael Cregan, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1884 5
• Daniel W. Cregan, American Republican politician, Candidate for Missouri State Senate 2nd District, 1954 5
• Bernard Cregan, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 13th District, 1867 5