MCCREERY
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Creery, Mccreery
Origin and Meaning
The surname McCreery is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Ruaidhrí, meaning "son of Ruaidhrí." The personal name Ruaidhrí itself combines the Gaelic elements ruadh ("red") and rí ("king"), so the surname literally denotes a descendant of a "red king" or a king's son. In Scotland the name was originally recorded as Mac Ruidhrí, a patronymic form signifying "son of Roderick," with Roderick tracing back to the Old Norse Hroðrekr, meaning "famous ruler" or "fame and power." This Norse influence reflects the early Viking presence on the island of Scotland.
Early Historical Recordings
The earliest known spelling of the name is found in the year 1298, where a Ninian Gillepatrike Mak Rori is recorded as a hostage to the English in Carlisle Castle. Later documents include a 1264 court appearance by John Rothri at the Pleas held in Dull, Atholl, and a 1506 Exchequer roll that lists Alexander Makrore as a tenant of Kilkewane in the Mull of Kintyre. The first documented spelling deemed the modern surname was that of Torkyll M'Kcrory (spelled M'Kcrory) in Dingwall, Scotland, in 1391.
Variants and Spelling Diversity
Over the centuries the surname has accumulated a wide array of spellings. Variants include MacRory, MacCroary, MacCrory, MacCrorie, MacRorie, McRory, McCrory, McCreary, McGreary, MacCreery, MacCrery, MacCrary, McCrary, McCreevy, McCreevey, Creery, and Creary. Some forms have omitted the Mac or Mc prefix entirely, while others have incorporated the Irish prefix O as in O'Creery. These differences arose from regional dialects, phonetic spellings, and the process of anglicisation as the name spread across Britain and Ireland.
Migration and Settlement
During the 14th century, members of the McCreery line migrated to Ireland as gallowglasses—mercenary soldiers hired to support the Irish government. In the 17th century, the name spread further through extensive Scottish emigration to Ulster, particularly to County Down and Belfast. The surname became common in both Scotland and Ireland in the early medieval period, with Petty's Census of 1659 recording a near parity of representation between the two countries. Today the name is rarer in Ireland, especially in the south where it is often recorded as Rodgers or Rogers, but it remains most prevalent in the north, in territories that were settled during the Plantation of Ulster.
Contemporary Distribution
In modern times, the surname McCreery is found most frequently in the United States, followed by Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Australia. It is a relatively uncommon surname, ranking outside the top one hundred and fifty thousand worldwide. Despite its rarity, the name has achieved a measure of public recognition through contemporary figures such as American country musician Scotty McCreery, the 2011 winner of the tenth season of American Idol.
Cultural and Religious Context
The name's spread and endurance coincide with the Christianisation of the Scottish and Irish peoples, as many early records of the name mention Christian religious affiliations. The enduring presence of McCreery within Christian communities underscores its historical continuity and the respect accorded to patronymic heritage within these societies.
Typical given names associated with the McCreery surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Robert
- Samuel
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Bridget
- Claire
- Cozette
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Joanne
- Leanne
- Lorraine
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Pauline
- Sarah
- Sharon
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname McCreery in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 565 people named McCreery in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around nine in a million people in Britain are named McCreery.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named McCreery
- Richard McCreery - Army general (1898 to 1967)
- David McCreery - Northern Irish football player and manager
- William McCreery - American politician (1786 to 1841)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.