Contents [hide]

Strahan History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Strahan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Strahan family

The surname Strahan was first found in Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of Scotland, and part of the Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, where the family sometimes spelled their Strachen or Straughan.

The family derive their name from the valley of the Aan (Strath Aan). The earliest record of the Clan was in 1057 AD, when they accompanied King Malcolm Canmore northward in his attempt to overthrow the King MacBeth after his usurpation of the Scottish throne.

The Clan Strachan was one of the major Clans participating in the Battle of Lumphanen, 25 miles west of Aberdeen. MacBeth died in the Battle on the 15th day of August, 1057 AD. MacBeth's Cairn may still be seen there to this day. Later in 1165 AD, a Walderus de Strathecan had extensive territories in the lands of Strachan (pronounced Stawn, but many in North America have now reverted to the original pronunciation of Stracken).

Early History of the Strahan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strahan research. Another 271 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1200, 1268, 1278, 1342, 1361, 1400, 1463, 1600, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1662, 1671, 1684, 1760, 1777, 1799, 1828 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Strahan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strahan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Strachan, Strawn, Strachen, Straughan, Straghan and many more.

Early Notables of the Strahan family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was David Strachan (died 1671), Church of Scotland prelate, Bishop of Brechin (1662-1671).Archibald Strachan (died 1652) was a Scottish soldier from Musselburgh, Edinburghshire who fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, reaching the rank of Colonel. He was excommunicated at Perth on 12 January 1651; in April he was declared a traitor and his goods were...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Strahan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strahan Ranking

In the United States, the name Strahan is the 7,640^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Strahan family to Ireland

Some of the Strahan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strahan migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Strahan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Alex Strahan, who arrived in Virginia in 1657 2

Strahan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

David Strahan, who landed in Virginia in 1701 2

Strahan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Strahan, who landed in New York in 1844 2
John Strahan, aged 4, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
Sally Strahan, aged 25, who landed in New York in 1854 2

Strahan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Strahan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. George Strahan, aged 34 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but he died on board 3

Strahan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Strahan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Strahan, aged 40, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Berar" in 1873
Julia Strahan, aged 39, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Berar" in 1873
Margaret Strahan, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Berar" in 1873
Alice Strahan, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Berar" in 1873

Contemporary Notables of the name Strahan (post 1700) +

Michael Anthony Strahan (b. 1971), American television personality, journalist, and former National Football League defensive end for the New York Giants
Robert Strahan (b. 1836), American sailor, recipient of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War
Reuben Scott Strahan (1835-1895), American politician and judge in Oregon
William Strahan (1715-1785), Scottish printer, publisher and Member of Parliament, born in April 1715 at Edinburgh, where his father, Alexander Strahan, had a small post in the customs
Thomas Strahan (1847-1910), American businessman and politician, the thirteenth Mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts
Samuel Cunningham "Sam" Strahan (1944-2019), New Zealand rugby union player for the New Zealand National Team (1967-1973)
Sir Aubrey Strahan KBE FRS (1852-1928), British geologist, recipient of the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society of London (1919)
F. Strahan, Australian Assistant Secretary, Prime Minister's Department, eponym of Strahan Glacier, Antarctica
Hugh Strahan (b. 1945), former Australian rules footballer
John Strahan (d. 1740), English architect working in Bristol and Bath areas
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Strahan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non timeo, sed caveo
Motto Translation: I fear not but am cautious

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 96)