Surname Cree - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cree: What does the surname Cree mean?
The surname Cree is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Creag", which means "rock" or "cliff". It was often given to someone who lived near a prominent rock or cliff. Alternatively, it could also have Celtic origins based on the word "Cri", meaning boundary.
Additionally, it might be an Anglicized version of a Native American tribe’s name, the Cree, who are one of the largest groups in North America, primarily found in Canada today.
Like many other surnames, Cree may have been a topographic name given to instantly identify individuals, based on their living surroundings or certain characteristics. It is also possible that the surname was used to denote someone from a place called Cree, such as the Cree in Dumfriesshire or Aberdeenshire.
It's important to remember that surnames' origins may variate widely due to historical migrations, sociocultural interactions, and changes in linguistic practices. Therefore, the meaning might vary amongst different families carrying the Cree surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisCree: Where does the name Cree come from?
The last name Cree is believed to originate from Scotland, in the valley of the river Cre in Perthshire. It's a habitational last name, referring to a geographical area where an individual or a group lived or originated from. The name may also have Celtic roots, derived from the word 'criadh,' which means 'clay.'
In the early centuries, it was commonly used in its originating region of Scotland including Aberdeenshire. Members of the Cree family emigrated to Ireland and North America, leading to the name's dispersion over time. Today, it remains most common in English-speaking countries, specifically in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There are also traces of this name in some parts of Europe. However, the frequency of the last name Cree is relatively low, making it less common compared to other last names. The exact global distribution can vary due to factors such as immigration, shifts in population, and cultural assimilation.
Variations of the surname Cree
The surname Cree is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "crioch," which means border or boundary. Over time, this surname has seen several variations in its spelling due to regional accents and spelling practices. Some of these variants and spelling versions include Creee, Creey, Crey, Creea, Crew, Crewe, Crewes, and Craw.
The surname also has further branches that have adopted slightly different spellings or surnames sharing the same root such as Crae, Cray, or even McCree.
Some surnames of the same origin, sharing the root word “crioch” in Gaelic cultures include MacIlreach, McIlreach, MacIlriach, McIlriach, Macilriach, and Mcilriach.
It's important to remember that surnames were often transcribed based on how they sound, leading to significant variations in spelling, particularly in old documents, church records, or census data.
Famous people with the name Cree
- Jennifer Cree: Though not universally recognized, Jennifer is an accomplished professional lacrosse player who played for team Canada.
- Edith Woodman Burroughs Cree: An esteemed American sculptor of the early 20th century.
- Henry Bidleman Cree: Known for his service in the American Civil War as a Union Brevet Brigadier General.
- Jeremy Cree: He is an actor, known for his role in the TV series "The Brittany Murphy Story."
- Joshua Cree: An actor, recognized for his roles in "Star Trek: The Video Game" (2013) and "Random Encounters" (2013).
- David Cree: He is known for his work on "The Lazarus Child" (2005), "Stingray" (1985) and "No Easy Days" (2018).
- Matthew Cree: He is an actor, known for "Magnetic Poles" (2006).
- Benjamin Cree: Although not widely known, Benjamin Cree has built a respectable career as a composer of music for both film and television. Please note, the surname 'Cree' is not commonly seen among globally famous individuals. Hence, famous personalities with the last name 'Cree' are not easy to find and may not be internationally recognized.