Celtic Migrations and the Birth of Gaelic Scotland
c. 400 BCE - 843 CE
The story of the McCreary family begins with the Celtic peoples who migrated to the British Isles from continental Europe between 500-100 BCE. These Iron Age peoples brought their distinctive language (Gaelic), culture, and religious practices with them.
The most significant event for Scottish history was the migration of Gaelic-speaking Scots from Ulster (northern Ireland) to Argyll around 500 CE. They established the kingdom of Dál Riata, which spanned the North Channel. The name "Scotland" literally means "land of the Scots" - referring to these Irish migrants, not the indigenous Picts.
In 563 CE, St. Columba sailed from Ireland to establish his monastery on the island of Iona, which became one of the most important centers of Celtic Christianity. From Iona, Christianity spread throughout Scotland and northern England.
By 843 CE, the Gaelic Scots had expanded eastward and merged with the Picts under King Kenneth MacAlpin to form the Kingdom of Alba (Scotland). The Gaelic language and culture of these Irish migrants would dominate Scottish history for centuries, eventually giving rise to surnames like McCreary (Mac Ruairidh - "son of Ruairidh").