The name Drummond is thought to have originated from Drymen or Drummond in Stirlingshire. Tradition traces the Drummond family to Hungarian origins. Maurice, son of George, a younger son of King Andrew of Hungary, is said to have accompanied Edgar Atheling, heir to the English throne from Hungary to England. They were shipwrecked on the shore of the Forth and one of Atheling's sisters,Margaret married Malcolm III from whom Maurice received the estates of Drymen.

However, the first records show that the son of Malcolm Beg who was Steward of the Earldom of Strathearn in 1255, also called Sir Malcolm, was the first to take the name of Drummond. Why? We do not have any idea. Drummond were staunch supporters of the Royalist cause, playing an important role in the Scots victory at Bannockburn in 1314. English kings were always trying to conquer Scotland and Ireland, and Scottish Highlanders tried on each attempt to gather enough soldiers to fight them. And, fight them they did.

In 1488 the Barony of Drummond was created; later generations added the titles Earl of Perth, Lord Madderty and Viscount Strathallan. The family continued their allegiances during the Jacobite rising of 1715 and 1745 which resulted in their lands being forfeited in 1746. The 4th Viscount Strathallan fell at Culloden. The lands were eventually restored by the General Act of Restoration of the Forfeited Highland Estates and remain in the possession of the family today, the chiefship being vested in the Strathallan branch of the family. The old Drummond estate passed through an heiress to the Earls of Ancaster.

The Drummond clans contributed greatly in the Scots victory over the English  soldiers at Bannockburn in 1314. Malcolm Drummond was notable in the war by developing the Caltrap, 2 spikes welded in a method so the points would always be exposed. These Caltraps were spread in advance of the enemy. When the soldiers on horseback rode over them, the horses were disabled, making the soldiers very vonrable for hand-to-hand combat with the Scottish clans.

Some notable Drummonds were Margaret Drummond, who married King David II in 1369; Annabella Drummond, who was married to King Robert III, and was the mother of James I.

The Drummond clans fought in the Jacobite rising of 1715 and 1745. It was the 1745-1746 battle against England and supporters of the crown that caused all the clans to disband. The Scots lost the battle  under Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden in 1746. All clans were ordered disbanded. The Forth Viscount of Strahallen was killed at Culloden. All lands were forfeited, but were returned under the General Act of Restoration.