Ireland

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.

The family name itself is fairly widespread having been recorded in many counties including: -

Antrim, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Down, Kerry, Kildare, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath. 

Name variations

Known variants of the Irish name (kindly supplied by Keith Creevey) are: -

Crevy - recorded in the 1659 Petty’s census as a principal Irish name in the Barony of Moycashel, County Westmeath

MacGreevy - derived from the father of the initial bearer and afforded him a suitable means of identity in his local community. A derivation of the Gaelic Mag Riabhaigh means ‘the son of Creevy’.

Mac Giulla Riabhaigh - another synonym of MacGreevy. It is sometimes anglicised as MacIlreavy in County Antrim and County Down. The chiefs of MacRiabhaigh were Lords of Moylurg in County Roscommon until the 13^th century when they were subdued by and became a tributary of the Mac Dermots.

MacGreavy and MacCreevy being synonyms of MacGreevy and Magreevy, were in use in the late 18^th century. 

McCreevy and MacCreevy were both in use during the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries with McCreevy seemingly occurring more frequently. The current European Commissioner for the EU Internal Market and Services is Charlie McCreevy who was formerly the Irish Finance Minister.

Other variations include O'Creevy and Fenton-O'Creevy

Place names

There are several Irish parishes and place names associated with the Creevy name. The place name, also listed as Creevagh, means "a branchy place".