Drinan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Drinan

What does the name Drinan mean?

Many variations of the name Drinan 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 Drinan family

The surname Drinan 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. (O'Hart)

Early History of the Drinan family

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

Drinan Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Drinan family name. Variations found include Drennan, O'Drennan, Drenan, O'Drenan, Thornton and many more.

Early Notables of the Drinan family

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

Drinan migration to Canada +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Drinan:

Drinan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Drinan, aged 30, a miller, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland

The Drinan 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.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)