Creyche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

Creyche is a name whose ancestors lived among the Picts, a tribe in ancient Scotland. The Creyche family lived in the lands of Creich in Fife. "This place is supposed to have derived its name, signifying in the Gaelic language, rocky or rugged ground, from the general appearance of its surface. " 1

Criech is a parish, in the county of Sutherland, 11½ miles from Tain. "This place is famed for a contest which happened in the eleventh or twelfth century, between the Scots and the Danes, at Druimleah, near Bonar-Bridge, whence the invaders, after being completely routed, retired to their ships at Portnacoulter, at present called the Meikle Ferry. " 1

Early Origins of the Creyche family

The surname Creyche was first found in Fife, at Creich, derived from the ancient Celtic word "crug" which means a mound or hill. 2

"The parish of Creich, in the northern part of Fifeshire, contains the remains of an ancient casde but there is no trace of any family bearing the name occupying the lands. Douenaldus (i.e. Donald) de Creych, a cleric, was one of the witnesses to a confirmation charter by Walter, son of Alan of the land of Tubermor between 1204 and 1241. " 3

While the surname hails from Scotland, there are at least two listing of the same name further south in England, specifically Creech East in Dorset and Creech St. Michael in Somerset.

Both date back to the Domesday Book where they were listed as Cris and Crixe, respectively. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Robert de Criche, Nottinghamshire 5 and Kirby's Quest listed Peter de Cryche, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 6

Early History of the Creyche family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Creyche research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1403, 1423, 1429, 1544, 1585, 1611, 1659, 1693, 1700, 1720, 1745 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Creyche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Creyche Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Creyche has been spelled Creech, Creich, Creigh, Craich, Creych, Creyche and others.

Early Notables of the Creyche family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Thomas Creech (1659-1700), an English translator of classical works, and headmaster of Sherborne School, born at Blandford in Dorset. His...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Creyche Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Creyche family

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Creyche: Stephen Creigh who settled in Philadelphia in 1850.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.