O'Creegan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Creegan

What does the name O'Creegan mean?

The Irish name O'Creegan has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Creegan is Ó Croidheagain, from the word "croidhe," which means "heart." 1

Early Origins of the O'Creegan family

The surname O'Creegan was first found in Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the O'Creegan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Creegan research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1616 is included under the topic Early O'Creegan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Creegan Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname O'Creegan can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Cregan, Crean, O'Crean, O'Cryan, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Crehan, Creane and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Creegan family

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

Migration of the O'Creegan family

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the O'Creegan name: Phillip Crean who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; John Creahan settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Thomas Creane settled in Philadelphia in 1868.

The O'Creegan 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: Cor mundum crea in me, Deus
Motto Translation: Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)