A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Creighton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9016 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au lion d'azur, arm. et lamp. de gu. C.: le lion, iss. D.: GOD MY GUIDE.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Creighton Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Creighton arms are recorded
The Creighton arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Creighton Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Creighton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Creighton Family in Netherlands
The origins of the Creighton name in the Netherlands are deeply tied to the historical landscape of Friesland during the early nineteenth century. While the name itself carries roots that trace back to ancient Gaelic regions, its presence in the Dutch province of Friesland by 1815 marks a significant chapter in the family story. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing a major transition following the end of French rule, and the government began requiring citizens to adopt fixed surnames for official civil registration. Families living in the northern provinces like Friesland often integrated into the local community through trade, agriculture, or maritime work. The appearance of the Creighton name in these records suggests that members of the family had established themselves as part of the local population during this era of administrative reform. By settling in this region, these early ancestors became part of the unique cultural fabric of the Frisian people, contributing to the development of the area as it emerged into a new national identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 lion ramp. and a border engr. az”
Irelandc. 1669
Where the Creighton Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Creighton arms are recorded
The Creighton arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1669.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Netherlands when the Creighton 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 Creighton Family in Ireland
The surname Creighton has deep roots in Ireland that trace back to the seventeenth century. While the name originated from a place in Scotland, members of the family established a significant presence in Dublin by 1669. During this period, the family became integrated into the administrative and social life of the city. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Creightons expanded their influence across the country, particularly in County Fermanagh. They became prominent landowners and held positions of local authority, which helped them secure a lasting place in Irish history. Their transition from newcomers in Dublin to established figures in the Irish countryside reflects the broader patterns of migration and land settlement that shaped the island during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crio
Derived from the Gaelic word for rock or stony place.
This name
CreightonRefers to a person who lived near a rocky hill or crag.
also spelled
Crayton
Krayton
Crichton
Craton
Related arms
Crichtonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
Netherlands Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
