McCrackin

The surname McCrackin is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Cruitín," meaning "son of the little hump-backed one" or "son of the harpist." The Gaelic "cruit" refers to a harp, and "-ín" is a diminutive suffix. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who played the harp or perhaps for someone with a hunchback.

Variations of the name include McCracken, Cracken, and Creighton (which sometimes is associated through historical sound changes and Anglicization). The McCrackin family is historically associated with both Scotland and Ireland, with records appearing in both countries.

The name's distribution is primarily found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with subsequent migration to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Early records of individuals bearing the name can be found in land deeds, census records, and other historical documents.