Map of Ireland showing where the Mccreary arms are recorded
The Mccreary 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 Mccreary 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 Mccreary Family in Ireland
The surname McCreary is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Riocaird, which translates to son of Richard. The family roots are deeply tied to the Gaelic tradition, where names were often formed by adding a prefix to the father’s given name to establish lineage. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the McCreary family were well-established in Dublin. During this period, Dublin served as a central hub for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families moving from rural areas to urban centers. The presence of the family in the city during the mid-seventeenth century suggests they were part of the shifting social landscape of Ireland as the country navigated significant political changes. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to reflect the phonetic patterns of English speakers, eventually settling into the modern form recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Riaraidh
Son of the follower of the king or royal attendant.
This name
MccrearyDerived from Gaelic, signifying a descendant of one who served a monarch.
also spelled
McRery
MacRorie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
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