Map of Ireland showing where the Creen arms are recorded
The Creen 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 Creen 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 Creen Family in Ireland
The family name Creen has deep roots in Ireland, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in Dublin as early as 1645. During the seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, placing the family at the heart of Irish urban life during a period of significant upheaval. The name is often considered a variation of older Gaelic surnames, potentially evolving from phonetic spellings of names common in the Leinster region. As the family established itself in the capital, they likely participated in the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city's economy. By living in Dublin during this era, the early Creen family members navigated a society shaped by shifting land ownership and the growth of a distinct Irish administrative culture. Their presence in the city records provides a clear link to the social fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland, marking them as part of the long history of Dublin’s residents.
Creen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Críodán
Derived from the Irish word for heart or a diminutive form.
This name
CreenAn anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Críodáin, signifying son of the heart.
also spelled
Creen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654-1656
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Moody, T.W., Martin, F.X., and Byrne, F.J., A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534-1691, 1976
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
