Show ContentsCregend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Cregend

What does the name Cregend mean?

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

Early Origins of the Cregend family

The surname Cregend 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 Cregend family

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

Cregend 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 Cregend family name include Cregan, Crean, O'Crean, O'Cryan, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Crehan, Creane and many more.

Early Notables of the Cregend family

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

Migration of the Cregend family

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 Cregend to North America: Phillip Crean who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; John Creahan settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Thomas Creane settled in Philadelphia in 1868.



The Cregend 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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