Surname Crehan - Meaning and Origin

Crehan: What does the surname Crehan mean?

Crehan is an Irish surname that originates from the Gaelic O'Croidheain, meaning 'descendant of Croidheain.' The term 'Croidheain' is a diminutive of the word 'croidhe,' which translates to 'heart,' suggesting that the bearer of the name could be the 'little heart' or 'beloved'. Therefore, the Crehan family name is associated with characteristics such as love, warmth, and affection. The name primarily comes from Connacht's counties, Galway and Roscommon, in the western part of Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, it has various spellings such as Crean, Creen, and Crehan due to phonetic translations during different periods.

Crehan: Where does the name Crehan come from?

The last name Crehan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "O'Criochain," which translates to "descendant of Criochan." The word Criochan itself is believed to mean "boundary" or "frontier," suggesting the original bearers of the name possibly worked as boundary setters or lived near a notable boundary.

Primarily, the Crehan surname can be traced back to County Clare and the adjacent County Galway in the western part of Ireland. The towns of Kilnamona and Inagh in County Clare were particularly associated with the name.

Today, the name is not very common in Ireland due to migration and dispersion, but it can still be found in certain regions. With the widespread Irish diaspora, bearers of the surname Crehan also exist abroad, particularly in countries like the United States, England, Australia, and Canada which witnessed substantial Irish immigration in the past. However, it remains a relatively uncommon surname overall.

Variations of the surname Crehan

The surname Crehan is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic "O'Croidheain" or "O'Criodain."

There are several variants and spellings for the surname Crehan. Some of these may include Creehan, Crean, Creane, Crehen, Creean, Creaghan, Creighan, Creaghan, Cregan, Creggan, Creagan, and Cregin.

There are also similar surnames such as Crehon, Creighon, Crean, Creane, and Creon that could possibly be related to the surname Crehan. Present day Crehans can be commonly found in Ireland, but also present in regions with numerous Irish immigrants such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Famous people with the name Crehan

• Peter Crehan, Irish nationalist politician and one of the leading figures of the Irish Constitutional Movement during the late 19th century.
• Biddy Crehan, Irish traditional singer, one of Ireland's most beloved folk singers.
• Eoin Crehan, Irish former footballer who played for several Irish teams.
• Patrick Crehan, Irish professional basketball player who played for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.
• Eugene Crehan, Irish actor, known for his roles in the films Dracula and The Irishman.
• Seamus Crehan, Irish former Gaelic footballer and hurler, and one of the founders of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
• Billy Crehan, Irish nuclear physicist and member of the International Atomic Energy Agency's executive board.
• Mary Crehan, Irish musical composer of traditional Irish music.
• John Crehan, Irish poet of the Celtic Revival period.
• Nicholas Crehan, Irish social historian, author, and lecturer at Trinity College Dublin.

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