| ![Show Contents]() Creger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of CregerWhat does the name Creger mean? Creger is a very old Scottish name that may even date back to the Dalriadan tribe of Scotland's western coast and Hebrides islands. It comes from the given name Gregory. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Griogain, which translates as son of Gregory. Creger Coat of Arms CreationThe MacGregors have for their motto " E'en do and spair nocht," and in this case the story goes that when William the Lion was out hunting a wild boar rushed to attack him. Sir Malcolm MacGregor asked permission to encounter the animal. The King answered in the words of the motto. MacGregor immediately tore up a pine sapling and killed the boar. For this the King gave Sir Malcolm liberty to use his words as a motto, and this the clan has done ever since. In their coat-of-arms there is a tree torn up by the roots. The MacGregors refused to join the Covenant against their King, and declared that, as they bore the crown on the point of their sword, they would use the sword in defending the crown. It was only in 1775 that the proscription of the name MacGregor was finally removed. The MacGregors have for a crest a lion's head crowned with an antique crown, and besides the motto given above, they have the Gaelic one, " 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream " (Royal is my race). Their slogan is " Ard Choille." 1 The reason for the motto "Royal is my race" is because they claim Gregor was the brother of Kenneth MacAlpin (810-858), Kenneth I was King of Dál Riada (841-850), and King of the Picts (848-858.) Indeed, the Coat of Arms for the MacGregors is very similar to the one used by Kenneth MacAlpin. Early Origins of the Creger familyThe surname Creger was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, as their origins can be traced back to Griogair, son of the eighth century King Alpin of Scotland, the High King of the Scots and Picts who died in 860 AD. Hence, their famous motto translates from Gaelic as 'Royal is my blood.' They are the principal branch of the Siol Alpine whose representative, King Kenneth the Hardy, was son of MacAlpin, the first King of the Scots. Early History of the Creger familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creger research. Another 491 words (35 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1587, 1603, 1640, 1671, 1734, 1888 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Creger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Creger Spelling VariationsSpelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Creger has been spelled MacGregor, MacGrigor, MacGrioghair (Gaelic) and others. Early Notables of the Creger familyAnother 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Creger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Creger Rankingthe United States, the name Creger is the 17,817th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2 Migration of the Creger family to IrelandSome of the Creger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Creger migration to the United States | + |
Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Cregers to arrive in North America:
Creger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Henry Creger, who was Naturalzied in New York, NY in 1836
- Joseph Creger, who was Naturalzied in Illinois in 1859
- Gertrud Creger, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
- Helene Creger, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1893
- Henry Creger, aged 4, who settled in America, in 1893
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Creger Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- James T. Creger, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1907
| Contemporary Notables of the name Creger (post 1700) | + |
- Bernard Odell Creger (1927-1947), American Major League Baseball shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947
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: 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream
Motto Translation: Royal is my blood.
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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