Surname Strain - Meaning and Origin
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Uncovering my Strain Lineage and Connecting with Kin: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through the iGENEA DNA test proved to be enlightening and rewarding, with a newfound appreciation for my Strain lineage. From uncovering my Celtic heritage to connecting with distant relatives through the DNA database, the experience has been nothing short of revelatory.
S. Strain
read moreStrain: What does the surname Strain mean?
The last name Strain is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Stráin," which is also spelled "Mac Stráiana." The surname Strain was first found in Donegal, located in northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
The root word "Stráin" is an anglicized form of the Gaelic word "Straithe," which means green patch or green paddock. This suggests that the original bearer of this surname had a connection with a green patch of land, possibly referred to their occupation or a geographical feature of their dwelling place.
It is also thought to have evolved from the Viking personal name Strain or its Norman equivalent Strahan or Straghan. The name implies strength or vigor, suggesting that the original bearer was a strong, robust, or vigorous person.
Like many surnames, over centuries of migration and cultural change, you will find variations on the name, including Strahan, Straghan, Straughan, and more. Today, people with the surname Strain are found in many countries around the world, including the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisStrain: Where does the name Strain come from?
The last name Strain is most common today in the United States, with the highest concentration in the Southern states. The surname is also fairly common in England, Scotland, Canada, and Ireland.
The Strain surname most likely originated in medieval England, likely deriving from the Middle English term “stren” or “streine”, meaning a string or rope. This name was used to denote someone who either worked with, or owned, string or rope.
In the United States, the surname primarily became established in the states of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. It spread from there into other southern states, such as Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas.
Today the surname Strain can be found in various locations around the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom and beyond. It’s still most common, however, in the southern states of the United States!
Variations of the surname Strain
The surname Strain is an English surname derived from the Latin “strainus” meaning “stranger”. The variants of this surname include Strains, Staynes, Stones, Streanes and Streans. The Strain spelling dates back to the 12th century in England, and since then it has been variously modified by dialect or Anglicization.
The variant “Strains” is a more modern spelling which has gained usage around the 18th century. This form of the surname may sometimes be found in Scotland.
The variant “Staynes” is another possible variant of the Strain surname originating in Scotland and Northern England. This form of the name was used by those of Scottish descent for those who moved to England during the reign of James I (1608-1620).
The variant “Stones” is a further variant found in Scotland.
The variant “Streanes” is a more uncommon variant found in Scotland. It is a slight variation of the original spelling “Straines” and was likely created by a literal transcription of a spoken pronunciation of the original spelling.
The variant “Streans” is another variation found in Scotland, where it is usually a more common spelling.
The other variants of Strain include “Strayne”, “Strane”, “Strainge”, “Strayne” and “Straynes”. All these are based on the original spelling found in England during the 12th century.
The spelling and alphabetization of surnames was often inconsistent in the past, so it is important to remain open-minded and search for all possible variants when researching your family history.
Famous people with the name Strain
- Iwate Strain: Japanese professional baseball player
- Charles Strain: American film score composer
- Evan Strain: American former football cornerback
- Matt Strain: British actor who’s appeared in multiple series and movies
- Mark Strain: British former darts player
- Dave Strain: American Topps baseball card artist
- Ryan Strain: Professional ice hockey left winger
- Julie Strain: American actress and model
- Fred Strain: American business leader, and former chair of the board of directors for the New York Stock Exchange
- Steven Strain: American filmmaker and television producer