Surname Drain - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Drain: What does the surname Drain mean?
The surname Drain is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Dráin," which means descendant of Drán. Drán is a diminutive form of the Gaelic personal name Dràon, meaning "sparrow." It was a common custom in ancient Ireland to use diminutive forms of personal names to create surnames. Consequently, the last name Drain indirectly symbolizes a sparrow, a bird known for its chirpiness and gaiety. Over generations and migration, the name may have various spellings, including Drane, Draighnean, and others. While common in areas of Irish influence, this surname also appears in Scotland and England, influenced by migration and colonization. Today, individuals with the surname Drain can be found throughout the world, holding on to their Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDrain: Where does the name Drain come from?
The surname Drain is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Old Gaelic word "druim," meaning "ridge." It was a topographical name, given originally to people who lived on a ridge. The surname also has some Irish roots and was particularly associated with County Donegal. Migration in the 19th and early 20th century led to the appearance of the Drain surname in various English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where descendants can still be found today. However, it is most common in the United States and Scotland. The data indicates that the surname Drain is not very common and is ranked as the 16196th most common surname in the world. In the United States, it is most prevalent in the states of Ohio, followed by Texas, California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Drain
The surname Drain is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic personal name Dreen or Dreena. Variants of the surname Drain could include Drane, Drean, Draen, and Drayn. These variations could all originate from the same source, as spelling variations were common due to the transcription of names and surnames in church and civil registration records.
Other possible variations could include De Rain, D’Rain, or Draina, although these are less common. It may also have been anglicized from the Irish surname Ó Draighneáin, which itself has numerous spelling variations, including O'Drain, O'Drane, Drean, Dreen, and Drene.
Sometimes, it might be presented with prefixes such as “Mc” or “O", based on the descendant lineage indicating 'son of' and 'grandson of' respectively. Thus, we might also find it as McDrain or O'Drain.
However, to trace the real origin and spelling variations, genealogical research would be required as variations could have been created over centuries based on geographical relocation, regional dialects, among other factors.
Famous people with the name Drain
- Homer P. Drain: Known power engineer, developer of the first 25,000 Volt electric transmission line in the U.S.
- Elizabeth Drain: Television music producer associated with shows like "Lip Sync Battle" and "The Masked Singer".
- John Drain: An accomplished musician and author.
- Susan Drain: An esteemed Canadian academic and author, she specializes in Victorian literature and has penned several books and articles.
- Lorna Drain: An accomplished athlete, Drain participated in the Commonwealth Games representing Scotland in Bowls.
- Hugh Drain Jr.: Worked as a Professor at the University of Idaho, College of Law. He was influential in shaping the legal atmosphere in Idaho.
- Jordan Drain: Known for his participation in the television reality show Shipwrecked.
- Andy Drain: An English rugby player who played for Hull F.C., Featherstone Rovers, Batley Bulldogs, and Doncaster in the English Rugby League.
- Arlys Drain is also a known personality in the athletic field.
- Bill Drain was an American basketball player associated with the Washington Huskies.
- Bob Drainville, also known as Robert Drain, is an actor known for his roles in Brotherhood, The Departed, and Mystic River. Please note that while these individuals may not be world-renowned celebrities, they have made notable contributions within their respective fields.