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Reaney & Wilson's A Dictionary of English Surnames says that in medieval times Drew was primarily from Drogo, a Germanic name of Frankish origin, probably meaning "ghost, phantom", and becoming in French Drues, Dru, Driu, etc. They then say "Drew was also a pet form of Andrew, which was confused with the French . In 1400, Drew Barentyn appealed to the Council to correct his christian name to Drew in the list of freemen of the city, where it had been incorrectly listed as Andrew."