Surname McCreary - Meaning and Origin

The iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling The Celtic Threads in the McCreary Family Tapestry

Since obtaining the results from my iGENEA DNA test, my perception of my surname, McCreary, and my family identity has undergone a significant transformation. The revelation of having Celtic lineage was an insightful revelation, instilling in me a renewed sense of pride, connection, and respect towards my family heritage and traditions. The test didn't merely disclose my genetic makeup but unfurled a rich tapestry of history and lineage that has shaped my identity today.

H. McCreary

McCreary: What does the surname McCreary mean?

The last name McCreary is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Ruaidhrí" which means "son of Ruaidhrí". The name Ruaidhrí is itself derived from elements meaning "red" and "king", so the surname might be understood to mean "son of the red king". It is generally believed that this name originated in County Donegal, in the northern part of Ireland. As with many Irish surnames, the prefix "Mac" indicates patrilineal descent, therefore, someone with the surname McCreary would be understood to be a descendant of a man named Ruaidhrí. As the family grew, members would have migrated into other parts of Ireland and eventually other countries, a common occurrence which is why Irish surnames can now be found all over the world. Like many surnames, variations of spelling can also occur, potential variants of McCreary include MacCreary, McCrary, and McCreery.

McCreary: Where does the name McCreary come from?

The surname McCreary is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Ruaidhrí, which can be translated as "son of Ruaidhrí". Ruaidhrí is a common first name in Irish Gaelic, and it means "red king". The name has historical significance in Ireland, indicating a heritage tied to Gaelic royalty.

In terms of distribution today, the last name McCreary is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states with high concentrations of individuals of Irish descent such as Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Ohio. Despite its widespread presence in the United States, McCreary is not a particularly common surname, but it is more prevalent in these regions than in others.

In Ireland, the name is still present but it's not as common as one might expect given its native origin. This is largely due to historical factors, including the widespread emigration from Ireland during periods of economic hardship, especially the Great Famine in the mid-19th century when many Irish families moved to America and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname McCreary

The surname McCreary is of Scottish origin. It is often an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Ruaidhrí", which means "son of Ruaidhrí". The name Ruaidhrí is derived from the old Gaelic elements "ruadh", meaning "red", and "rí", meaning "king".

The surname McCreary has various alternate spellings that include Mccrary, McCreery, Mccreery, MacCreary, MacCrary, MacCreery, McCrearye, and sometimes MacRory, without the McC prefix. These variations occurred often due to handwritten records, which resulted in spelling being phonetic and not standardized.

There are also other surnames which are derived from the same root. Some of these include Ruadhri, Roderick, Rodgers, and Rodger, as the Gaelic name Ruaidhrí was often Anglicized to the given names Roderick or Roger.

It is important to note that while these surnames share similar origins, they may have separate histories and distributions. It's common for surnames to branch out and form their own unique lines over the centuries. Therefore, individuals with these surnames may not necessarily share a common ancestor despite the similarity in the origin of their surnames.

Famous people with the name McCreary

• Tori Lynn McCreary: American actress, known for playing Flossie on the television series The Hitchhiker
• Michael McCreary: American physician and author; recipient of the 2018 American Medical Association Humanitarian Award
• Bill McCreary: Canadian ice hockey referee; inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019
• Max Mac Cree: Sierra Leonean sprinter; represented the Leone Stars at the 2019 African Games
• Tyler McCreary: American mixed martial artist; currently competes in the Bantamweight category
• Scott McCreary: Canadian actor; known for playing “Cowboy” on the TV series Smallville
• Billy McCreary: English footballplayer; played for several National League clubs in the 1980s
• Christopher McCreary: American attorney; the 22nd and current United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
• John McCreary: American game designer; co-founder of the tabletop game company Looney Labs
• Ed McCreary: American actor; best known for playing Wes on the TV show, The Education of Max Bickford

Other surnames

McCreaMcCreath