Why is Danny Drinkwater named Drinkwater?

Danny Drinkwater is an English professional footballer who played in 2021/22 season as a midfielder for Reading on loan from Chelsea.

He was born on March 5, 1990 and his surname Drinkwater dates back to Middle English.

According to ancestry.co.uk:

In the Middle Ages weak ale was the universal beverage among the poorer classes, and so cheap as to be drunk like water, whereas water itself was only doubtfully potable.

The surname was perhaps a joking nickname given to a pauper or miser allegedly unable or unwilling to afford beer, or may have been given in irony to an innkeeper or a noted tippler.

Drinkwater rose to fame after playing a pivotal together with N’Golo Kante, Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth, Wesley Morgan, Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in Leicester City’s fairy tale 2015/16 season which saw them end the season as English Premier League Champions.

Following his performance in the 2015/16 season, Drinkwater signed for Chelsea on a five-year contract, for a £35 million fee on September 1, 2017.

However, Drinkwater failed to replicate the form he had at Leicester City and he was loaned by Chelsea to; Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish club Kasimpasa and lastly to reading.

In May 2022, Drinkwater was released by Chelsea on a free transfer.