Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Creary

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Creary?

The surname Creary is of English origin and is a variant of Cree, which has Norman-French roots. The original form was "de Crei" or "Creii," which meant "from Creil," a town in Picardy, France. The Normans, who were originally from Norway, conquered England in 1066, bringing their language and many of their personal names with them. Over time, the name evolved into its various spelling variations seen today, such as Creary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Creary

The meaning and origin of the last name Creary

The surname Creary is an anglicized form of various Gaelic Irish names, primarily Mac Riaghdha (son of the king) or Mac Raithri (son of the chieftain). It's also linked to the Old Norse name Kjærry, meaning "farm by the wood." The name is predominantly found in Ireland, where it originated, but has since been distributed globally due to Irish immigration, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In modern times, the surname Creary can be found across many English-speaking countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Creary

The last name Creary is primarily distributed across several English-speaking regions, with significant concentrations in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands due to historical links to the British Empire. In Jamaica, it is most prevalent in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Kingston, and St. Ann. Within North America, Creary can be found predominantly in countries like Canada, particularly Ontario and Nova Scotia, and the United States, with notable populations in states such as New York, Florida, and Texas. Smaller groups carrying the surname Creary can also be found in other English-speaking nations such as Australia, England, and Ireland. The name's distribution reflects historical migration patterns from the Caribbean to these regions over the past few centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Creary

The surname Creary has several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes and regional differences over time. These include:

1. Creary: This is the most common spelling, originating from an Old French occupational name for a gardener or a servant who tended gardens, derived from the Middle English word "creie," meaning "cress."
2. Creevery: A less common variant of Creary, which may have arisen due to regional pronunciation differences.
3. Criary: Another variation that could potentially be a typographical error or a phonetic alteration of the original name.
4. Cryery: While uncommon, this spelling is a potential misspelling or misinterpretation of Creary.
5. Crehry: A less frequent variation, which may have occurred due to minor transcription errors or regional dialects.
6. Creyrie: A rare variant that might be a creative rearrangement or typographical error of the original name.
7. Kreeary: An alternative spelling with slight modification in the initial letter, possibly reflecting personal preference or a different origin theory.

Famous people with the last name Creary

The Creary family has produced notable figures in various fields, making them well-known bearers of this surname. One of the most prominent is Jamaican poet and journalist Mervyn Morris Creary, who won numerous awards for his work, including the Musgrave Medal for Literature, Science, and the Arts. Another significant figure is American singer, songwriter, and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, born Adrienne Jada Creary, who gained fame as an actress in TV shows like 'A Different World' and 'The Matrix' films, and later became a successful entrepreneur and talk show host. Additionally, Canadian actor Donavan Creary, known for his roles on 'Stargate SG-1' and 'Once Upon a Time', is also notable with this surname. Lastly, British-Jamaican sprinter Omar Creary, who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics, further expands the family's diverse accomplishments.

Genealogical research on the last name Creary

The surname Creary is predominantly of Irish origin, derived from various locales named Cree or Creagh, which are primarily found in County Mayo and County Galway. These places were named after the Old Norse word "Krækastrand," meaning "crow's creek," due to the large number of crows residing in these areas. The family name also has connections to England, where it is believed to have been brought by Norman invaders in the Middle Ages. Notable figures bearing the Creary surname include John Creasy (1724-1808), an English barrister and author of "A Practical Treatise on the Law of Crimes"; and Michael Creary (born 1936), a Jamaican reggae singer known for his work with The Skatalites. The Creary family has also been prominent in the history of Nova Scotia, Canada, where they settled in the late 18th century.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Creach

Last name • surnames > creach

The last name Creach is of Scottish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "crèach" meaning "herd" or "plunder", suggesting that it may have been associated wit...

#2 Creacy

Last name • surnames > creacy

The surname Creacy is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "O Croinin" which means "descendant of Cróeen," a personal name meaning "round-faced." The family was original...

#3 Creager

Last name • surnames > creager

The surname Creager is of English origin and it is derived from a nickname for a person with a curly or kinky hair. The name is an anglicized form of the Old French "crespiere," me...

#4 Creagh

Last name • surnames > creagh

The surname Creagh is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Mac Craith. It originates from the Gaelic sept (clan) Mac Craith, who were chieftains of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a divis...

#5 Crean

Last name • surnames > crean

The surname Crean is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic name "Mac Craith," which means "son of Craig." The name Craig itself is derived from the Old Norse word "Kraekr," mea...

#6 Creantor

Last name • surnames > creantor

The surname "Creantor" is of French origin. It is derived from the occupational name for someone who was a creator or artisan, often involved in manual labor or skilled craftsmansh...

#7 Creasy

Last name • surnames > creasy

The surname "Creasy" is of Old English origin. It is derived from a nickname for a person who was clumsy or careless, as the word "crese" meant unskillful or awkward in Middle Engl...

#8 Creativemind

Last name • surnames > creativemind

The last name "creativemind" appears to be a modern English surname that is likely to have been created as a combination of the words "creative" and "mind." It is not a traditional...

#9 Creativeyas

Last name • surnames > creativeyas

The last name "creativeyas" does not have a known origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a unique or rare surname.

#10 Crebassa

Last name • surnames > crebassa

The surname Crebassa is believed to have origins in France and Italy. In French, it might be derived from the Occitan word "cresp" meaning "crooked," while in Italian, it could ori...

#11 Crechet

Last name • surnames > crechet

The last name "Crechet" has French origin. It is believed to be a habitational surname derived from the place name "Crèche" in France, which means "manger" or "crib" in French. It...

#12 Credo

Last name • surnames > credo

The surname "Credo" has Italian origin. It comes from the Latin word "believed" which means "I believe", and was used as a declaration of faith in the Christian religion. This surn...

#13 Credz

Last name • surnames > credz

The last name "credz" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a variant of another surname or a relatively new creation. Without fu...

#14 Crehueras

Last name • surnames > crehueras

The last name "Crehueras" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "creyer," which means to believe or trust in Spanish. The name likely originated as a surname for indivi...

#15 Creide

Last name • surnames > creide

The surname Creide does not have a clearly defined origins that can be definitively traced to one specific region or time period. Surnames often originated as a result of various f...