The earliest record I have of the Drinnan family is under the name Drynan. William Drynan was born in Ballantrae about 1685 and is recorded as having married in 1710.
Two sons are recorded, William (b.1718), born in Ballantrae, and John, born in Garfar in 1728. William married Janet McCredie on 15 Jun 1738: Extract of entries in an OLD PAROCHIAL REGISTER from Parish of Ballantrae County of Ayr: Proclamations of 15 Jun 1738 Extract reads:"Wm Drynan & Janet McCredy both in ys parish gave in yr names for proclamn to marriage May 20 1738 & yrafter were married June 15 1738 no money".
Six boys and two girls were born. The eldest boy, Andrew, born in 1744, married Elizabeth Richart in 1769.
The births of two girls and one boy are recorded for this marriage. The son, born in 1768, was named Archibald and is shown in the Parish Register of Colmonell as Archibald Drinan. The extract reads: "Archibald - Son to Andrew Drinan & Elizabeth Richart in Knockdaw May2d and Baptized May 9th 1760" - from a register of births and Baptisms dated 2 May 1768.
Archibald, who is shown to be a tailor in the 1870 Register of Deaths 0n Kilmarnock, married Margaret Wylie of Riccarton on 27 Feb 1795 in Kilmarnock. Extract from OLD PAROCHIAL REGISTER of Proclamation of Banns and Marriages dated 11 July 1817: " Drinnan - John Drinnan and Elizabeth MacCreadie both in this parish after proclamation were married - July 14th 1817".
They had at least six children only four of whom are recorded by me. One of the sons, John, born in 1795, married Elizabeth McCreadie on 11 Feb 1817 in Kilmarnock. John died in 1870. 1870 Register of Deaths in the Parish of Kilmarnock shows entry: Name and surname: John Drinnan Carpet Weaver Pauper Married to Elizabeth McCreadie When and where died: 1870 April 27th 6.45 PM Strand St Kilmarnock Age: 75 Parents' names etc: Father Archibald Drinnan Tailor Dec'd Mother Margaret Drinnan ms Wylie dec'd Cause of death: Age Present at death: David Drinnan Son Registered: 1870 April 28th.
Archibald Drinnan, born 1st August 1824, was the father of my grandmother, Annie Drinnan.
Recent correspondence (2005) has shown links with Canadian relatives in Bulwark and Calgary.