Show ContentsDrinnyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Drinnyn

What does the name Drinnyn mean?

Many variations of the name Drinnyn 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 Drinnyn family

The surname Drinnyn 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 Drinnyn family

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

Drinnyn Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Drinnyn dating from that time include Drennan, O'Drennan, Drenan, O'Drenan, Thornton and many more.

Early Notables of the Drinnyn family

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

Migration of the Drinnyn family

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Drinnyn or a variant listed above: 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 Drinnyn 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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