Early Origins of the Creiead family
The surname Creiead was first found in
Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of
Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North
Ayrshire. Craighead Law, Craighead Lea or Law hill is said to be a Moot hill, a justice or court hill controlled in
feudal times by the
local Baron. Stones on its summit appear to be deliberately positioned and a grass covered cairn is clearly visible. The hill is located in what is now known as Lugton, East Ayrshire. Interestingly, Craghead is a former mining village in County Durham.
Early History of the Creiead family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creiead research.
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1700 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Creiead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Creiead Spelling Variations
The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few
hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Creiead has appeared as Craighead, Craighede, Craigdaillie, Craigdallie and others.
Early Notables of the Creiead family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Creiead Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Creiead family to the New World and Oceana
As the persecution of
Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American
War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Thomas Craghead who settled in Nantucket in 1774.
The Creiead 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: Securum presidium
Motto Translation: A secure fortress.