While researching my Creech ancestry, I have identified at least three
Creech - Coat of Arms which were registered. In some instances only a limited
amount of information and/or history of the Coat of Arms were available.
If anyone has more information, please feel free to e-mail us at:
tmsgen2@hotmail.com
Here is a brief history on how the Coat of Arms originated:
The warriors of the Middle Ages wore a metal suit of armor for protection.
Since this suit of armor included a helmet that completely covered the head,
a knight in full battle dress was unrecognizable. To prevent friend from
attacking friend during the heat of battle it became necessary for each knight
to somehow identify himself. Many knights accomplished this by painting colorful
patterns on their battle shields. These patterns were also woven into cloth
surcoats which were worn over a suit of armor, thus was born the term "Coat
of Arms".
As this practice grew more popular, it became more and more likely that two
knights unknown to each other might be using the same insignia. To prevent
this, records were kept that granted the right to a particular pattern to
a particular knight. His family also shared his right to display these arms.
In some instances, these records have been preserved and/or compiled into
book form. The records list the family name and an exact description of the
Coat of Arms granted to that family.
Creech - Coat of Arms #
1
As appeared in "Creech Country" Newsletter Vol. 2, # 3, August 1992.
As appeared in Creech Lineage 1989 by Lillian Broughton Creech. |
SHIELD - A frontal pointed shield with a
black shield-shadow constitutes the crest. The shield in the color of silver,
inside three lions in the color of black with red fights and a golden crown
as symbolic of the clear character, bravery, courage, and true services for
the royal house.
SHIELD DECORATION - In the colors of dark red,
green, and gold, a gothic shield decoration frames the helmet and the shield.
HELMET - A side frontal helmet in the color
of grey with a closed visor, black visor decoration and red arm decoration.
MAIN DECORATION - Over a banner in the colors
of silver and black, a lion is in the color of black with red fights and
a golden crown as symbolic of the unimpeachable.
According to the information in the international Heraldic books by Rietstap,
tome 2, the following is noted down under the name Creech:
An old English citizen and patrician family of the fourteenth century, a
native from the county Worcestershire.
It is documented that in the year 1675 the commander and captain of horse
and armour, William Harold Creech , was decorated with the bravery order
of the "Black Lions" and the great Coat of Arms in parchment paper from the
British royal house for his services to his country.
During the independence and freedom battles, William Harold Creech fought
with bravery, courage, and unimpeachable behavior against the Irish adversaries
and achieved a great victory for his country. Descendants of this family
emigrated to Scotland, Canada, and America. |
Creech - Coat of Arms #
2
Picture No. 46
Creech Coat of Arms
As appeared in "Creech Country" Newsletter Vol. 2, # 3, August 1992. |
As appeared in "Early Settlers of Lee County, Virginia"
ARMS: Or two bars sable between nine martlets
azure 3-3-3.
CREST: A dexter hand holding a laurel wreathe
proper.
MOTTO: Volenti Nil Difficile. Which means
"To the willing nothing is difficult".
The family of Creech registered Edinburgh, Scotland. "Burke's General Armory,"
1844 edition.
One Stephen Creech was listed in Osburn's Militia in Montgomery Co., Va.,
1781. In the D.A.R. patriot Index: William Creech, b.ca. 1755: d. 1834; m.
Susan. Soldier, South Carolina.
Militia Returns 1770-1777, drafted in Capt. Kennedy's Co., 26 July 1777,
were Ezek'l Creech, Benjamin Creech Jr., and John Creech. (Roster of Soldiers
from N.C. in the American Revolution, by N.C.D.A.R., p. 590. Pp. 366 and
369, Do.) Lt. Richard Creech, Militia, in the Wilmington District and in
the same District, another Richard Creech in the same roll.
|
Creech - Coat of Arms #
3
Creech |
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The Creech Coat of Arms illustrated left was drawn by an heraldic artist
from information officially recorded in ancient heraldic archives. Documentation
for the Creech Coat of Arms design can be found in Rainey's Dictionary of
Surnames, and in Rietstap Armorial General.
Heraldic artists of old developed their own unique language to describe an
individual Coat of Arms. In their language, the Arms (Shield) is as follows:
"Coupe au 1 fusele-couche de sa et d'arg; au 2 de gules plein." Above the
shield and helmet is the Crest which is described as: "Un chapeau piramidal
aux armes de l'ecu, somme d'un panache de plumes de coq de sable."
When translated the blazon also describes the original colors of the Creech
Arms and Crest as it appeared centuries ago.
Family mottos are believed to have originated as battle cries in medieval
times. A motto was not recorded with this Creech Coat of Arms.
The surname Creech appears to be locational in origin, and is believed to
be associated with the English and Scotts, meaning, "dweller at the bank
or wing dam to keep out water", and "one who was a native of Creich, a place
in Fife, Scotland."
Different spellings of the same original surname are a common occurence.
Dictionaries of surnames indicate probable spelling variations of Creech
to be Cridge, Creich, Creych, Criech, and Creeche.
Although bearers of the old and distinguished Creech name comprise a small
fraction of the population there a number who have established for it a
significant place in history. They include: DOUENALDUS de CREECH (Creych)
(fl. 1204-1241) Cleric who was one of the witnesses to a "Confirmation Charter"
made by Walter, son of Alan, of the land of Tubermor. WILLIAM CREECH (1745-1815)
Author who published the first Edinburgh edition of the "Poems of Burns."THOMAS
CREECH (1659-1701) In 1682, he published his translation of "Lucretius",
in verse. He also translated Horace, Theocritus, and portions of other classical
authors. RICHARD CREECH (1751-1819) Musician who was a drummer during the
Revolutionary War. EDWARD CREECH (Cridge) (1817-1913) He was the first Bishop
of the Reformed Episcopal Church at Victoria, British Columbia, and was
considered a "Pioneer Clergyman." |
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This page last updated 1 Jan 2007
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