Drawer Family History

From an agent derivative of Middle English drauen ‘to draw, pull, tug’ (Old English dragan), it was used to denote someone who draws in various senses. This term can be illustrated with historical examples from different sources.

For instance, we have Roger le wirdragher ‘wire drawer’ from 1313 in the York Freemen's Register. Additionally, Richard le Pakkedrawere ‘(wool)pack carrier’ appears in 1332 in the Subsidy Rolls (London).

Another example includes Alan de Wifestow, known as mukdragher ‘muck carter’ or possibly ‘scavenger’ in 1340, also recorded in the York Freemen's Register.

Elias Wyndrawer ‘wine drawer’ is noted in 1373 in the London Pleas, showcasing the diversity of professions related to the act of drawing.

Lastly, David Tothedrawer ‘tooth drawer’ from 1422, also in London Pleas, further confirms the various contexts in which the agent noun was applied.