Strain

Origin: Strain is a surname of British origin. The name is of Old French and Old English descent, derived from the Middle English word "strane" or "strein", meaning "foreigner" or "stranger". It is believed to have been used historically to identify those who came from a different region or country.

Distribution: The surname Strain is found predominantly in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It can also be found in other English-speaking countries where British migration has taken place.

Variants:
Variants of the surname Strain may include Strainge, Strean, Straine, or Strahn.

Coat of Arms:
The Strain family crest features elements such as a lion rampart, a cross engrailed, and a chief charged with a chevron.

Notable Individuals:

  • John Strain: A renowned Scottish artist known for his landscape paintings.
  • Catherine Strain: A prominent historian specialising in British medieval history.
  • Michael Strain: An influential economist and commentator on British economic policy.

References:

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
  • Cottle, B. (1983). The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Penguin Books.

Further Reading: For those interested in delving deeper into the history and genealogy of the Strain surname, resources such as local archives, genealogical websites, and historical records can provide valuable insights.

There are approximately 1,841 people named Strain in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,500th most common surname in Britain. Around 28 in a million people in Britain are named Strain.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Joseph
  • Mark
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Angela
  • Ann
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Evelyn
  • Julie
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah

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