The name Drinkard comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a literally comes from the words drink and water, but there are many interesting theories as to the reason for the nickname. The universal beverage in the Middle Ages was weak ale, perhaps the name was given to a teetotaler; or perhaps to a pauper unable to afford beer. Perhaps the name was given in irony to an innkeeper or a noted tippler. Some have even suggested that the name was given to diabetics who had voracious thirsts.
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Early Origins of the Drinkard family
The surname Drinkard was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
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Early History of the Drinkard family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drinkard research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Drinkard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Drinkard Spelling Variations
Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Drinkard has undergone many spelling variations, including Drinkwater, Drinkwatter and others.
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Early Notables of the Drinkard family
More information is included under the topic Early Drinkard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Drinkard Ranking
In the United States, the name Drinkard is the 11,083rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
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Migration of the Drinkard family
To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Drinkard were among those contributors: John Drinkwater who settled in Barbados in 1658 and moved to Virginia in 1660; another John Drinkwater settled in Virginia in 1637; William Drinkwater settled in Barbados in 1664.
Contemporary Notables of the name Drinkard (post 1700)
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Delia Drinkard (1909-1941), née McCaskill, American co-founder of The Drinkard Singers, an American gospel singing group
Nitcholas Drinkard (1895-1951), American co-founder of The Drinkard Singers, an American gospel singing group
Roy Henry Drinkard (b. 1920), American businessman who owns properties and shopping centers throughout the Southeastern United States
William Charles Drinkard Jr. (1929-2008), American industrial chemist and the inventor of the catalytic hydrocyanation process for making adiponitrile
Bobby Jon Drinkard (b. 1977), American contestant on Survivor: Palau and Survivor: Guatemala
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Labore omnia florent Motto Translation: All things flourish with industry.
England
