Surname McCrea - Meaning and Origin
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McCrea: What does the surname McCrea mean?
The surname McCrea originates from Scotland and Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Raith", meaning "son of grace" or "prosperity". It has been common in Northern Ireland, particularly in Ulster. It is also spelled as McRae, MacRae, and Macrae. This surname indicates a historical familial connection to grace or prosperity, potentially signifying that the ancestors of those bearing the McCrea name were well-respected or successful. There have been several notable people with this surname, contributing to its spread across regions and countries. The original Gaelic form of the name reveals the deep Celtic origins of the McCrea family, which were once part of a tribal culture that was prevalent before the feudal times. Like many surnames, it has changed in spelling and presentation over the centuries due to migration and anglicization. Today, those carrying the McCrea surname continue to be a part of a rich cultural and familial heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCrea: Where does the name McCrea come from?
The surname McCrea is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Raith, meaning "son of Raith," Raith being a Gaelic personal name of uncertain meaning. This surname was first adopted by members of a clan from Kintyre, a peninsula in western Scotland.
Another theory suggests the McCrea name might be derived from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Riabhaigh, meaning 'son of the brindled one'.
The McCrea name became widespread in Scotland and Ireland, and many Scottish septs or families migrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulroster in the 17th century. It is particularly common in the areas of Ulster and Galloway in Ireland and Scotland respectively. McCrea's are also found in considerable numbers in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries due to the Scottish and Irish diasporas. The name can be seen in different forms of spelling such as McRae, MacRae, McCray, and MacRay, depending upon the phonetic translation when the families migrated.
Variations of the surname McCrea
The surname McCrea has Scottish origins and is also very common in Ireland due to the historical connections between the two nations. Its spelling variations include MacCrea, MacCrae, MacRa, MacRae, MacRay, MacReagh, and McGrath. The name is patronymic and is derived from the personal name "Rath," meaning "grace" in Gaelic. The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" means "son of," translating McCrea to "son of Rath" or "son of Grace." However, it is also associated with the clan MacRae, which means "son of hound or wolf."
In Ireland, particularly in County Donegal, the surname Magrath or McGrath was sometimes anglicized to McCrea, leading to overlap and confusion between these names. These names often changed spelling as families emigrated, leading to even more variations such as McCray, McRay, MacCray, and McCrory.
Other related surnames of the same origin include MacGrath, MacGraw, MacGrae, and McGrae. Over time, these surnames have continued to evolve and diversify, leading to the large variety of spellings and versions that exist today.
Famous people with the name McCrea
- Joel McCrea: He was an American actor whose career spanned more than five decades and featured appearances in over 90 films.
- J. D. McCrea: Known for his roles in When Comedy Was King (1959), Rocky Mountain (1950), and South of Saint Louis (1949).
- Dave McCrea: A famous actor known for participating in productions such as Renegade (1992), Homicide Life on the Street (1993), and The Young and the Restless (1973).
- Jody McCrea: An American actor popular for his role in the Beach Party film series in the 1960s.
- Frances Dee McCrea: An American actress, wife of Joel McCrea, who made several films from 1929 to 1953.
- David McCrea: A film professional known for Kasparov vs Karpov World Chess Championship.
- Dan McCrea: An actor and producer known for Forgotten Pills (2010), Without Borders (2011) and Soledad (2000).
- Chris McCrea: He is known for his work on Movies Sing I Put a Spell On You: The Devil and Daniel Webster (2003).
- John McCrea: Irish comic book artist best known for his collaborations with writer Garth Ennis.
- Carson McCrea: Known for his contributions to short films like The Dinner Table.
- Motion designer Kyle McCrea.