Surname McCreath - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McCreath: What does the surname McCreath mean?
The surname McCreath is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Raith" which means "son of prosperity" or "son of grace". The surname has been through various spellings and forms from its origin due to regional dialects and translations. This includes Macraith, MacGrath, MacGraith, Magrath, McCreath, Maccreath, and many others. It first originated in the Scottish Highland clan of MacRae, in the province of Cromarty. The family history of the McCreaths dates back to the ancient medieval times in Scotland, originating from a variety of ancient manuscripts and public records. The name is not very common, but individuals with the McCreath surname can be found in Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Like many Scottish surnames, McCreath may also indicate a geographical connection, signifying the bearer as someone who hails from a location called Creath. It is commonly believed that specific family lines of McCreath can trace their ancestry back to an influential figure, but the actual identity of this person can vary greatly with differing family legends and historical interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCreath: Where does the name McCreath come from?
The surname McCreath originates from Scotland. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Raith, which means "son of Raith" or "son of grace". The original form of the last name consists of the Gaelic prefix "Mac", indicating "son of", followed by a personal name.
The exact etymology of the surname may differ based on regional dialects and translation. In some cases, the surname may have been originally associated with a particular tribe or clan within Scotland.
Although the exact distribution is hard to determine, McCreath remains a relatively uncommon surname worldwide. Today, the name McCreath is primarily found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, signifying the historical paths of Scottish diaspora. Despite its rarity, it might be more common in areas with significant Scottish immigration history, such as certain parts of the United States (like New England or the Mid-Atlantic states) and Canada (particularly Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island).
Variations of the surname McCreath
The surname McCreath is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Raith" meaning "son of grace." Variations and misspellings of the McCreath surname may include: McCreight, McCraith, McCraight, McRaith, and McCrate.
The surname may also have alternative spellings that drop the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix, resulting in versions like Creath, Creight, Craith or Crayth. Due to the varying phonetics in different regions, it can further evolve with additional or fewer letters, such as McCraith or McReath.
Additionally, similar surnames that originate from the same root "Mac Raith" include MacGrath, McGrath, MacRaith, Magrath, and MagRaith.
Furthermore, Anglicization and “Americanization” throughout history also affect the spellings of surnames. Records such as immigration documents, census data, and naturalization papers often contain different spellings for the same individual, which can introduce additional variations of the surname.
Remember, the spelling of surnames was not standardized until recent centuries, and names were often recorded as they sounded, so one may find the same person with multiple surname spellings in different documents.
Famous people with the name McCreath
- Paul McCreath, Canadian Spanish-language newscaster.
- Stephanie McCreath, Canadian businesswoman and lawyer.
- Matt McCreath, Canadian professional hockey player.
- Darcy McCreath, Canadian politician.
- Troy McCreath, Canadian actor.
- Keith McCreath, British artist.
- David McCreath, British actor.
- Marie McCreath, Canadian artist.
- Dawn McCreath, Canadian professor and writer.
- Kenneth McCreath, British actor.