The Name

Like all surnames, spelling has evolved over time through custom, habit, clerical error or simply the inability of people to write their own name. There are two main variations of the name commonly in use today; Creevy and Creevey. In England, Creevy is by far the most common spelling and is increasingly replacing Creevey with other variations now rarely seen.

I estimate that there are currently some 600/650 individuals in England and Wales today although the name hardly features at all in Wales. In Australia, the most common spelling is Creevey, the additional ‘e’ having been added at some point.

Earliest individuals

The earliest recorded individual found to date is Robert Creevy, a catholic priest. He was born in Ireland in 1583 and died in 1670 aged 87. He was accepted into the Society of Jesus at Limerick in 1668.

In Scotland, the earliest reference I have found is to James Crevie who was born c1652 in Aberdeen. He married Margaret Milne c1677.

In England, Ellen Creevey married John Eaton in Liverpool on 1^st April 1759 and on 9^th December that year Patrick and Elizabeth Crevey’s son John was baptized in London. An earlier reference but potentially more tenuous connection, is that of Charles and Mary Creafey whose son William was baptised in Lincoln in 1747.

Over 95% of Australian Creeveys can be traced back to Irish ancestors, most being descended from the Irish convict Patrick Creevy who was transported from County Westmeath in 1833. However, Patrick was not the first Creevy to arrive in Australia. This was James, a carpenter  who arrived in New South Wales on the "Almora" in 1820 to serve out a life sentence. He was 40 years of age and he died in 1851 aged 71. It is estimated that there are between 450/600 individuals in Australia today. (Source: Keith Creevey)

Irish Creeveys/Creevys also migrated to the USA, the earliest of which is said to be Thomas Creevy, a carpenter from Belfast in 1848. There are however, earlier references. Benjamin McKrevy married in Ohio in 1812, Bert Creavy was born in New York in 1828 and Amelia Crevy was also born in New York in 1837.

There are also Argentinean families descended from James Creevy (born 1829) a carpenter from Kilbeggan in County Westmeath who subsequently emigrated to Argentina.

Where did the name originate?

My belief is that the name originated in Ireland. Not only is the earliest recorded individual from there but the roots of many English, Australian and American families can be traced back to Ireland and research consistently leads back there. There are also several Irish parishes and place names. The place name means "a branchy place".

Nevertheless, there may be other possibilities, for example the name de Crevy was recorded in France in the late 15th century, so could the origin be there? If you have more information, please let me know.