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Show ContentsMcCranay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The ancestors of the first family to use the name McCranay lived among the Dalriadan people of ancient Scotland. The name McCranay was given to someone who lived on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. The name is derived from Gaelic Mac Crain. 1

Early Origins of the McCranay family

The surname McCranay was first found in the islands of Jura and Islay, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the McCranay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCranay research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1649, 1856 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCranay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCranay Spelling Variations

Spelling 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. McCranay has been spelled MacCraney, Craney, Crainey, MacCrain, McCranie, MacCranny, MacCranne, MacCranney, MacCrayne and many more.

Early Notables of the McCranay family

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

Ireland Migration of the McCranay family to Ireland

Some of the McCranay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McCranay family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McCranay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Peter Dow Maccraing, who was banished to America in 1766; Owen McCraney, who came to New York, NY in 1803; Mathew and Patrick Craney who settled in Philadelphia in 1846.

The McCranay 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: Amor proximi
Motto Translation: The love of our neighbor.
  1. 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)
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