Last Name Creagh

Learn more about the origin of the last name Creagh

The meaning and origin of the last name Creagh

The surname Creagh is an anglicized form of the Irish name Craigh, which is derived from the Gaelic "Cró-ach" or "Cró-eogh." These Gaelic terms mean 'round hill' or 'curved nose,' respectively. The name was primarily found in counties Clare and Limerick in Ireland, where it likely originated as a local name for someone who lived near a particular geographical feature with the mentioned characteristics. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Ireland and later to other countries due to migration and anglicization during British rule. Today, the surname Creagh is still common in Ireland but can also be found in other English-speaking countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Creagh

The surname Creagh is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in counties Clare and Limerick, which are located on the west coast. This name is associated with the ancient Irish sept of O'Crioch, meaning "rock" or "stone fort." Over time, some members of this clan anglicized their name to Creagh or Cregg. Today, descendants of the O'Crioch can also be found in other parts of Ireland, as well as in countries where Irish immigrants have settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Britain. The distribution of the surname Creagh outside Ireland is largely due to emigration events such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Creagh

The surname Creagh has various spellings and variations, primarily due to phonetic and orthographic changes over time. Some of these include:

1. Creagh - the original and most common spelling from Ireland.
2. Cregg - a variant that originates from County Galway in Ireland and is often used interchangeably with Creagh.
3. Creegh - an alternative spelling found less frequently.
4. Craig or Kraig - these spellings are likely influenced by the Anglicization of Irish names during the English colonization, as they share similar pronunciation but have Scottish origins. However, some families of Craig and Kraig may claim Irish descent.
5. Cregg-Harrison - a compound surname formed by combining Creagh (or Cregg) with Harrison, possibly indicating a marriage between families of these names.
6. Creege, Creeghe, or Creage - less common phonetic variations of the name Creagh.
7. MacCreagha or MacCrea - Gaelic forms of the surname found among Irish speakers in Ireland and those with Irish heritage elsewhere.
8. De Creagh and O'Creagh - Anglicized versions of the original Irish sept names, Mac Creaigh (descendants of Creaigh) and O Creaigh (descendants of Creamhthach).

Famous people with the last name Creagh

Notable individuals with the surname Creagh include:

1. Patrick Crean (born 1943), an American film and television executive who served as President of Worldwide Television Production for Sony Pictures Television. He was responsible for producing popular shows like "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," and "The Crown."

2. Liam Creagh (born 1986), a British-Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Cork City in the League of Ireland. He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels.

3. Rory Creagh, an Australian actor best known for his roles in television series such as "Home and Away," "All Saints," and "Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities."

4. Sir Robert Creagh (1802-1875), an Anglo-Irish statesman who served as the 3rd Baronet of Castle Grovey in County Roscommon, Ireland. He was a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and later became a Privy Councillor.

5. John Creagh (1809-1874), an Irish lawyer and politician who served as Solicitor-General for Ireland from 1852 to 1858, and as Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench in Ireland from 1861 until his death.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as entertainment, sports, politics, and law.

Genealogical research on the last name Creagh

The Creagh surname is primarily found in Ireland, originating from Counties Cork and Tipperary. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic O Craoch or Mac Craith, derived from the Irish word "craice" which means 'stony' or 'rocky'. According to the 1926 book 'Irish Surnames their History and Meaning', Creagh was a sept of the O'Briens of Munster. The name is also found in Scotland, where it is believed to be an anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic MacCreaghaich, meaning 'son of the stony place'. Notable bearers of the name include Sir Cornelius Creagh, an Irish lawyer and judge, and John Creagh, a British Army officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. The name has also been associated with various political and literary figures throughout Irish history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Creagh"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025