Show ContentsDrenend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many variations of the name Drenend have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Draighnean, from the word draighnean, which means blackthorn. 1

Early Origins of the Drenend family

The surname Drenend was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, and County Clare where O'Drennan was chief of Slieve Eise, Finn, and of Cinel-Seudna, a district on the borders of both counties. 2

Early History of the Drenend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drenend research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1696, 1736 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Drenend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drenend Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Drenend are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Drennan, O'Drennan, Drenan, O'Drenan, Thornton and many more.

Early Notables of the Drenend family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Drenend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Drenend family

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Drenend family in North America: William Drennan who settled in New Jersey in 1685; James Drennan settled in New York State in 1803; Michael Drennan settled in Philadelphia in 1856; Edward Thorneton settled in Virginia in 1663.



The Drenend Motto +

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: Nec opprimere nec opprimi
Motto Translation: Neither to oppress nor to be oppressed.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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