Last Name Mccrea

The surname McCrea is of Scottish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Chríomhthain, which means "son of Cré omhain", a personal byname meaning "round-headed." This surname was originally spelled MacCrimmon in some regions but became McCrea during the 17th century when Scots who spoke Gaelic began to adopt English names. The name is most commonly found among Highland Scots and their descendants.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mccrea

The meaning and origin of the last name Mccrea

The surname McCrea is a Scottish name that originated from the Gaelic Mac Craibe, which means "son of the cripple" or "son of the stonemason". This patronymic name is derived from the given name Craig or Creag, meaning 'rock' in Gaelic. Over time, the spelling of the surname has been anglicized to McCrea or Cree. The clan McCrae (or MacCreagh) originated from the Isle of Lewis and Ross-shire in Scotland. Throughout history, notable individuals with the surname McCrea have made contributions in various fields such as politics, military, and entertainment.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mccrea

The surname McCrea is predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland, with significant concentrations in both countries. Historically, it originated from the Gaelic Mac Threorait, which translates to 'son of Threoit,' a personal name derived from threo, meaning third. In Scotland, it's most commonly found in the areas surrounding Glasgow and Strathclyde, reflecting its historical roots. In Ireland, it's particularly prevalent in counties Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland, where it was brought over during Scottish settlements. Outside of these regions, McCreas can also be found in other parts of England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, primarily due to migration and diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mccrea

The surname Mccrea has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Here are some of the common ones:

1. McCrae - This is one of the most common variations, with the spelling change likely resulting from typographical errors or regional dialects.
2. McCrea - This form retains the traditional Gaelic prefix "Mac" which means son of, followed by the personal name Crae (or potentially a misspelling of Creag, meaning rock in Gaelic).
3. McCray - This is another variation that may have arisen from misinterpretation or anglicization of the original spelling over time.
4. MacCrea - While less common, this version maintains the traditional Scottish Gaelic prefix "Mac" and follows it with the personal name Crea.
5. McCreary - This form is a variant that likely originated as an adaptation to English phonetics, with the "ae" combination used in some regions to represent the pronunciation of "a" followed by "r".
6. McChree/McChry - These are rare misspellings or typographical errors that may have occurred due to visual similarities between the letter combinations.

Famous people with the last name Mccrea

Notable individuals with the surname McCrea include:

1. Joel McCrea (1905-2001), an American film and television actor known for his roles in Westerns, such as "Ride the High Country" and "The Westerner."

2. Gordon McCrea (born 1946), a Scottish former football player who played as a defender for teams like Glasgow Rangers and Scotland national team.

3. Mac McCree (1927-2015), an American astrophysicist, known for developing the McCree stellar atmosphere models.

4. Laura McCrea-Lewis (born 1986), a British Paralympian who competes in athletics events and won gold at the London 2012 Summer Paralympics in the women's discus F37 event.

5. Robert McCrea (1924-2008), an American author, playwright, and screenwriter known for his works like "The Last of the Mohicans" and "A Slight Case of Murder."

Genealogical research on the last name Mccrea

The McCrea surname is believed to originate from the Gaelic Mac Chrìche, meaning "son of Crich," with Crich being derived from the Old Norse word Krikr or Kraki, signifying a curlew or crane in Old Norse. This Scottish clan was primarily found in Dumfries and Galloway, and later in the Lowlands. The McCreas are recorded as having been granted lands by King Malcolm II in the 10th century. Notable figures with this surname include James McCrea, a 17th-century Covenanter martyr; Thomas McCrae, a Scottish poet; and James McCrea, an American civil engineer who designed several famous suspension bridges. The McCreas of Nova Scotia are descendants of Scottish immigrants who arrived in the mid-18th century. Today, the McCrea surname can be found predominantly in Scotland, the United States, and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

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

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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends