Criag

Recorded in the spellings of Craig, Creag, Creagg, Cregg, Creegh, Criag, and possibly other forms, this interesting surname is Scottish. It is of locational origin from any of the various places thus called, including Craig in north east Forfarshire, and Craig in south Ayrshire. The name derives from the pre 9th century Old Gaelic "creag" meaning rock, and may in some cases be topographical for one who lived on or by a rock. The word was borrowed in Olde English as "crag", itself a popular surname. Early examples of the surname recording include: Anneys del Creage of Edinburgh and Johan del Cragge of Lanarkshire, both of whom rendered homage to king John Balliol in 1296. In the records known as "The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries", for the city of Edinburgh, appears "The dramatic intervention of John of the Craig with his band of three hundred, played a decisive part in the battle of Culblean on November 30th 1335". Other recordings include those of English spelling including Mart Cregg, the daughter of John Cregg, christened at St Ann's Blackfriars, city of London, on December 4th 1698. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes del Crag, who witnessed a royal charter in 1165. This was during the reign of King William, known as "The Lion" of Scotland, 1165 - 1214. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.