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Irish Surname - Crehan

Origin of the Irish surname Crehan and its variations

The Irish surname Crehan, also spelled Crean or Creehan, has its origins in County Clare in the west of Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic "O'Croidheagain," meaning "descendant of Croidheagan," a personal name of ancient Irish origin that means "heart."

The Crehan family was prominent in County Clare and other parts of Ireland, and they were involved in various trades, including farming and fishing.

The surname has also been found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it was brought by Irish immigrants. Today, the Crehan name remains relatively common in County Clare and other parts of Ireland.

Famous people with the surname Crehan or its variations

Tom Crean: An Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer who participated in three expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century.
The Crehan family is a well-known musical family from County Clare. The family has been involved in traditional Irish music for generations, and they are considered to be one of the leading families in the genre.
Tony Crehan (1940-2019) was a highly regarded Irish accordion player who was born in County Clare. He grew up in a family of musicians and learned to play the accordion at a young age. Tony was known for his virtuosic playing style, and he became one of the leading accordion players in traditional Irish music. In addition to his talents as a musician, Tony was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught accordion and music theory to students in Ireland and around the world, and he was known for his patient and encouraging approach to teaching.
Mary Custy is a highly regarded traditional Irish fiddle player and teacher from County Clare. She comes from a family of musicians, including her uncle Paddy Crehan and her father Martin Custy, both of whom were fiddle players.

Variations of the Irish surname Crehan

Crehan: The most common variation of the Crehan surname found in Ireland and around the world.
Crean: A variation of the Crehan surname that is most commonly found in Ireland.
Creehan: A variation of the Crehan surname that is most commonly found in the United States and Canada.

Coat of arms and motto of the Irish surname Crehan

There is no officially recognised coat of arms or motto for the Crehan surname. However, it is possible that some families may have created their own coat of arms or motto over time.

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.