O'Criane

This is a developed form of the Olde Irish name O' Croidheagain which translates as the son of the descendant (O') of 'Croidhe' a personal name meaning 'one with heart'. The usual modern spelling is Creegan (Connacht), although the name is also confused with Cregan (Munster), an anglicization of Mac Riagain (Regan). The name in its various forms has been found in England since the 17th Century, example being Mary Creggen who married David Woodbaridge at St. Mary le Bone, on December 10th 1810. Church recordings include one Elinor Creagan who was christened on May 28th 1753 at St. John's, Limerick, and Mary Creegan who was born at Shanmullage, Longford in 1796. Jane Creegan married George Webb on March 13th 1805 in Templemichael, Londford, and Mary Ann Cregan who married Thomas Bedd on April 7th 1823 at St. Mary le Strand, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margaret Cragen, which was dated November 1st 1618, christened St. Margerets Church, Westminster, during the reign of King James 1 of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.