Surname Creasey - Meaning and Origin
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Creasey: What does the surname Creasey mean?
The surname Creasey is of English origin and is derived from the Old English cres, meaning "marsh" or "swamp," and ey, meaning "island". As such, it is believed to have been a topographic name for someone who lived on a low-lying island of marshland. This name is found mainly in the counties of Kent and East Sussex in the southeast of England; it is believed to have been originated there in ancient times.
Creasey can also have another origin: it may be an occupational surname derived from the Middle English cresier, meaning "tax collector." This is supported by the presence of the Creasey family in the county of Kent between the 13th and 17th centuries, when a local population tax was in effect. Therefore, it's possible that the Creasey family were employed by the government as tax collectors.
The Creasey surname can also be a form of the Old French cressault, meaning "cress grower", which in turn derived from cress, meaning garden cress. In this case, the Creasey family were likely farmers who grew and cultivated this edible plant.
In modern times, the Creasey surname is common throughout England and its diaspora. As Creasey is an occupational or topographic name, today's bearers of the name are mostly unrelated to one another. Though it has been in use for centuries, the Creasey family and its origin remain a mystery.
Order DNA origin analysisCreasey: Where does the name Creasey come from?
The last name Creasey is of English origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Norman French word “cresse,” which means “thorn.” It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the counties of Kent and Somerset. In Somerset, many of the locals are descended from a family that can trace its roots back to William Creasey, who lived there in the 17th century.
The Creasey surname is now found all over the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it is particularly common in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. In Canada, the last name can be found in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
As the population of England grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, more members of the Creasey family began to emigrate to other parts of the world. Today, the last name is also found in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries.
Although it may not be as popular as it once was, the Creasey last name is still widely used today in many countries. However, its use is much more common in the United Kingdom than in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Creasey
The surname Creasey has several variants, spelling and surnames of the same origin. Common alternate spellings of Creasey include Creacy, Crease, Creasy, Cresey, Crecie and Crecy. The Irish variant of this surname is O'Creasey or Creasey, while Crecie is a variant amongst the Dutch community. English variants include the spellings Crasey, Crasie, Crase and Creasie. The Scottish versions of this surname are Creasey and Crisey, while the alternate spelling Crisis is of Greek origin.
In Ireland, the surname Creasey is primarily used in the province of Ulster. It is a common name amongst the Protestant, Anglican and Presbyterian communities. The name Creasey may have become more localized in Ireland, as populations of Irish people migrated to other parts of the world.
In England, Creasey is most prevalent in the North West of England. It is also found in East Midlands and West Midlands. It is a common name in places like Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
In Scotland, this surname appears to originate from a small region in between Fife and Strathearn. It is likely that Creaseys were originally located in the village of Culross in Fife. A family of the name happens to still be one of the oldest inhabitants of the area, dating as far back as 1600.
In terms of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Creasey, there are numerous options. The different spellings of the name, found in various regions across the world, give insight into the diverse and expansive history of the Creasey family.
Famous people with the name Creasey
- John Creasey (1908: 1973): English crime and mystery writer. He was known for writing over 600 novels and short stories, including the British Agent and Roger West series.
- Ben Creasey (1964: 2015): English athlete and broadcaster, best known for his commentary of world record-breaking walks and marathons on BBC Radio in the early 2000s.
- William Creasey (1927: 2008): American public servant and politician. He served in the United States Senate from 1965 to 1967, representing the state of Wisconsin.
- Irene Creasey (1925: 1990): American artist and sculptor who spent most of her career in San Francisco, California. Her works are in the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Emma Creasey (b. 1996): English actress and dancer. She is best known for her roles in The Lodge (2016) and The Worst Witch (2017).
- J. K. L. Creasey (1885: 1944): British military officer and amateur athlete who was active in the Inter-Services Athletics Championships in the early 20th century.
- Johnathan Creasey (b. 1972): Canadian actor, best known for his roles in movies like Class of 2006 (2006) and Cujo (2005).
- Lucy Creasey (b. 1988): English actress and writer. She has appeared in numerous television shows and movies including Dark River (2018) and Fanny Lye Deliver’d (2019).
- Malcolm Creasey (b. 1964): Australian actor and producer. He is most noted for his role as Ken Clausen in the television show Time Trax in the 1990s.
- Natalia Creasey (b. 1994): Brazilian television and film actress. She is most famous for her role as Adriana in the telenovela Amor Vida (2013).