A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Creagh family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7597 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three laurel branches vert on a chief az. as many bezants”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Creagh Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Creagh arms are recorded
The Creagh arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Creagh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Creagh Family in Ireland
The family name Creagh is deeply rooted in the history of Ireland, particularly within the southern regions of Munster and the bustling urban center of Dublin. The name is derived from the Irish word *craobh*, which translates to branch, and it was historically associated with families of high social standing and influence. While many branches of the family were established in County Clare and County Cork, records confirm that prominent members of the Creagh family were active in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the family was deeply involved in the political and religious shifts of the seventeenth century, often navigating the complex tensions between the native Irish population and the expanding influence of the English administration. Their presence in Dublin suggests that they were well-connected figures who participated in the trade and governance of the city during a time of significant national upheaval. Over the following decades, the family continued to play a notable role in Irish society, leaving a mark on the historical landscape of the country through their involvement in both local commerce and public life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three laurel branches vert on a chief az. as many bezants”
EnglandNewcastle-on-Tyne, c. 1684
Where the Creagh Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Creagh arms are recorded
The Creagh arms were recorded in Newcastle-on-Tyne, c. 1684.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Creagh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Creagh Family in England
The family name Creagh has deep roots that trace back to the medieval period, though its presence in England became more formally documented by the late seventeenth century. By 1684, records confirm that members of the Creagh family were established in the city of York. During this era, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, making it a logical destination for families moving across the British Isles to seek new professional or social opportunities. The name itself is often associated with the Gaelic word *craobh*, meaning a branch or a tree, which suggests a lineage that valued connection and growth. As the family settled into English life, they integrated into the local urban landscape, transitioning from their ancestral origins into the bustling society of northern England. This migration reflects a broader pattern of movement during the seventeenth century, where families navigated changing political and economic climates to build stable lives in new regions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
craobh
An Irish word meaning a branch or bough of a tree.
This name
CreaghDerived from a topographical nickname for someone who lived near a prominent tree branch.
also spelled
Creag
Related arms
Butlerrecorded with Creagh, same area
Wellesleyrecorded with Creagh, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O’Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
branchPeace, and new growth
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
