Show ContentsDrummey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Drummey family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived on the lands of Drum, in the parish of Drumoak in Aberdeenshire where the name can be found since very early times.

Early Origins of the Drummey family

The surname Drummey was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland. The family is of local origin from Drum in the parish of Drumoak. "The original name of this place was Dalmaik, by which it is still generally called by the inhabitants, though the denomination of Drumoak has also been used for more than 300 years; the latter appellation is said to be derived from the Gaelic word drum, signifying the ridge of a hill, and the term Moloch, corrupted into Moak, the name of a celebrated saint to whose honour a monastery was erected in St. Servanus' isle, on the water of Leven. The name of Dalmaik is compounded of the Gaelic Dal, a haugh or valley, and St. Moloch, corrupted into Maik, and signifies the valley of St. Moloch, a description applicable to the district containing the ruins of the old church, near which is a well called St. Maik's Well. " [1] Drum is one of the four estates in the parish. The lands of Cutler have been held by the family from a very early period. Some of the first records of the name were: John de Drum who was prebendary of Butirgill, 1372, and another John de Drum who was prebendary of Buthirgill in 1449. [2]

Early History of the Drummey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drummey research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1539, 1600, 1685, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Drummey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drummey Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Drummey has been spelled Drum, Drumm and others.

Early Notables of the Drummey family

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

Ireland Migration of the Drummey family to Ireland

Some of the Drummey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Drummey migration to the United States +

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Drummey:

Drummey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Drummey, aged 50, who landed in America from Cork, in 1899
Drummey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Drummey, aged 36, who settled in America from Enniskean, in 1904
  • Helena Drummey, aged 1, who immigrated to America from Enniskean, in 1904
  • Patrick Drummey, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1918
  • Drummey, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1919
  • John Drummey, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States, in 1919
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Drummey (post 1700) +

  • Maxwell Drummey, American composer
  • Sarah Jane Drummey, British actress, known for her roles in War Horse (2011), Inside I'm Dancing (2004) and Dead Bodies (2003)


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)


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