Drone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The surname Drone is derived from the Middle English word "drane," or drone, which is the male honey bee. 1

Early Origins of the Drone family

The surname Drone was first found in Yorkshire where according to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1276, Roger Drane held estates at that time. Later, Adam le Dron was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and Walter le Dran was listed in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1285. 2

In Somerset, John atte Drene was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 3

In Scotland, it is thought to be a "Kintyre surname, perhaps now obsolete. From Irish O'Dreain, 'descendant of Drean,' a wren.'The M'O'Drains, who were Lairds of Carrin and Drumavoulin are now called Drains. The last of these old lairds was Donald M'O'Dhrain (who) was out in the wars of Montrose." 4

Early History of the Drone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drone research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1275, 1455, 1487 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Drone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drone Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Drane, Drain, Drone, Dron, Dran, Drayne, Drayn and others.

Early Notables of the Drone family

More information is included under the topic Early Drone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Drone family to Ireland

Some of the Drone family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 101 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drone migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Drone Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Drone, who landed in Virginia in 1651 5
Richard Drone, who arrived in Virginia in 1655 5

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)