STRAW
Straw is an English surname whose origin lies in the British Isles. Its etymology is rooted in the Old English word straw, which denotes the dried stalks of grain plants. Historically, the name was employed as an occupational designation for individuals who processed or traded in straw, or as a descriptive nickname for those with straw-coloured hair or a notably slender physique.
The earliest documented instance of the surname is found in a parchment dated 1367, identifying Thomas Straw of Colchester in Essex during the reign of King Edward( ) — a period spanning 1327 to 1377. A slightly earlier mention records a man named Thomas le Straumonger in 1346, an uncommon version thought to derive from Old English streaw and mangere. Subsequent variations, such as Strumanger and Struminger, also appear in historical documents, reflecting the fluid orthography of the medieval era.
In addition to its English usage, the surname is recorded in Germany, particularly in the region of Giessen, where it appears as Stron. The German variant is associated with a heraldic badge featuring a peasant soldier set against a gold field, suggesting a shared cultural heritage that spans the Channel.
Individuals bearing the Straw surname have historically been part of Christian communities, reflecting the pervasive influence of the Church in English society. The name continues to be a recognised surname within the United Kingdom, carrying a concise yet evocative link to the agrarian past and the linguistic heritage of Old English.
Typical given names associated with the Straw surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- Craig
- David
- James
- John
- Kenneth
- Mark
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Janet
- Julie
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Straw in...
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There are approximately 2,781 people named Straw in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,218th most common surname in Britain. Around 43 in a million people in Britain are named Straw.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Straw
- Jack Straw - Politician
- Ray Straw - Football player (1933 to 2001)
- Thomas Straw - Cricketer (1870 to 1959)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.