Cregg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the Cregg family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), and other shires across Scotland. The Cregg surname is derived Scottish Gaelic word creag, meaning "a rock" which became the Scottish word "craig." Craig is parish in Forfarshire which was "formerly called Inchbrayock, the 'island of trout,' by which name an island of thirty-four Scotch acres within the parish is still known. Craig was at that time only the designation of one of the chief estates, and it is supposed that, when the place of worship was transferred from the island to the property of Craig on the continental part of the district, the name of Craig, which is naturally derived from the rocky nature of the shore, was extended to the whole of the parish." 1

Early Origins of the Cregg family

The surname Cregg was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland. This northern Clan was frequently associated with the Gordons, but their first records appeared in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire to the south about 1180. One of the first records of the name was Johannes del Crag who was witness to a charter by William the Lion. Later, Robertus de Crag witnessed a charter by Alexander II. 2

Early History of the Cregg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cregg research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1296, 1300, 1335, 1440, 1512, 1538, 1567, 1569, 1586, 1600, 1608, 1620, 1622, 1627, 1663, 1731 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cregg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cregg Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Cregg has been spelled Craig, Craigh, Creag, Creagh and others.

Early Notables of the Cregg family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Craig (1512?-1600), Scottish divine, born about 1512, and next year lost his father, one of the Aberdeenshire family of Craigs of Craigston, at Flodden. 3Sir Thomas Craig (c. 1538-1608), was a Scottish feudalist, jurist and poet. He was the eldest son of William Craig of Craigfintray in Aberdeenshire. Sir Thomas' third son, John Craig M.D. (died 1620), was a Scottish physician and astronomer, physician to James VI of Scotland.Sir Lewis Craig, Lord Wrightslands (1569-1622), was an early Scottish judge, eldest...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cregg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cregg family to Ireland

Some of the Cregg family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cregg migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Cregg:

Cregg Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mary Cregg, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
Mary Cregg, aged 27, who landed in America from Queenstown, in 1893
Pat Cregg, aged 22, who landed in America from Co. Rosecommon, in 1893
John Cregg, aged 19, who settled in America, in 1894
Ellen Cregg, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Roscommon, in 1895
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cregg Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ellen Cregg, aged 18, who landed in America from Ballinlough, in 1900
Lucy Cregg, aged 7, who settled in America from Glasgow, in 1904
Edward Cregg, aged 34, who landed in America from Frenchpark, Ireland, in 1907
Annie Cregg, aged 29, who settled in America from Boyle, Ireland, in 1907
Benjamin Cregg, aged 21, who landed in America from Manchester, England, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cregg (post 1700) +

James Cregg (b. 1973), American football coach
Hugh Cregg (b. 1951), birth name of Huey Lewis, American musician, songwriter and occasional actor
Hugh A. Cregg, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1940 4
George W. Cregg, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 5th District, 1964 4
Frank J. Cregg, American Democratic Party politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court 5th District, 1933-45 4
Patrick Cregg (b. 1986), Irish footballer

The Cregg 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: Vive ut vivas
Motto Translation: Live that you may live for ever

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html