Surname Strake - Meaning and Origin
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Strake: What does the surname Strake mean?
The last name Strake is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the word strake, which means "stripe". The name can also be traced to the Old English word “streke”, meaning “outline”. The Strake family were known for their unique patterning in their coats of arms, which helped to define them and communicate their status in the kingdom.
Strake is an uncommon surname in the United States, which is likely due to its rareness in England. It is primarily found in counties throughout the southwestern region of the country, such as California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. It is also found throughout Europe, including countries such as England, Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland.
The Strake family has a long history in the U.S. and some of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname were found in the 16th century, when the Strake family arrived from England in the early American colonies. The Strake family made an important contribution to early American history by cultivating the land and building the foundation for the development of the region. They were part of the settlement of the Freedoms, which was a popular grant of land rights to small groups of settlers in the early 1600s.
In more recent years, some members of the Strake family have pursued various professional and academic pursuits, such as engineering, law, education, and politics. Today, anyone with the last name Strake is likely to be someone of great character and integrity, as the Strake family is known for their honor and pride.
Order DNA origin analysisStrake: Where does the name Strake come from?
The last name Strake is most common in the Netherlands today. Historical records suggest that the Strake family originated in the area in the late 1500s and has since expanded elsewhere.
Since the 1600s, many of the Dutch Strakes have moved away from their Dutch origins to settle in other European countries, such as Germany, France, and England; then later moving to the United States, Canada, and Australia during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, Strake is a relatively uncommon last name. According to Netherlands Census records in 2017, there were only 568 people with the last name Strake living in the country, making it the 1446th most common last name. This is a decline from the records of 800 people with the last name in 2007.
Outside of the Netherlands, Strake is also most commonly found in Italy, where there are 204 people with the last name, and Belgium (175 people). In the United States, there are around 150 people with the last name Strake, mostly concentrated in California, New York, and Texas.
In general, the last name Strake is rare, and those with the name today can trace their origins to their Dutch ancestors who first left their Dutch homeland in the 1600s and moved across the world.
Variations of the surname Strake
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Strake include: Streek, Strik, Striak, Strecker, Streicher, Streckfus, Strack, and Strauch.
The surname Strake is of German and Dutch origin, and is derived from a nickname meaning "resolute." Early records of this surname date back to pre-medieval Germany, where it was found as a personal name. It is a fairly common German name, and was also found in the Netherlands and Austria.
The variant Streek appears to have originated in northeast Germany, while Strack and Strik, the Dutch variants, have roots in the Netherlands. The Austrian spelling, Streicher, can also be found. The variants Strecker and Streckfus are found in Germany, and indicate that the original bearer likely lived near, and may have been related to, a Striker or Strecker (a type of mason).
The surname Strauch is the rarest of these variants, and is derived from a personal name that combined the Germanic words "strau" (meaning "tower" or "fortress") and "ach" (meaning "a settlement"), making it literally "tower settlement."
In the United States, Strake has been the most common spelling of the name, although derivatives or variations are still encountered.
Famous people with the name Strake
- John Strake: John Strake (born 17 December 1932) was an American businessman and former chairman and CEO of oilfield services company Halliburton.
- John W. Strake: John W. Strake (born May 15, 1930) is an American lawyer and former mayor of Houston, Texas, serving from 1982 to 1998.
- William Strake: William Strake (born May 7, 1938) is an American physician and former president of the Texas Medical Center.
- Meyer Strake: Meyer Strake (born November 4, 1925) is an American businessman who co-founded the Houston-based Strake Oilfield Supply Company.
- Matt Strake: Matt Strake (born July 9, 1973) is an American lawyer and former chairman of the Houston Association of Realtors.
- Mike Strake: Mike Strake (born October 29, 1966) is an American politician who served as Harris County Commissioner from 2006 to 2010.
- Michael Strake: Michael Strake (born February 21, 1954) is an American lobbyist and former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 129 from 1983 to 2003.
- Gilbert P. Strake: Gilbert P. Strake (born October 28, 1929) is an American politician who served as Houston City Comptroller from 1966 to 1974.
- Emily Strake: Emily Strake (born November 8, 1982) is a former professional skier who represented the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
- Grant Strake: Grant Strake (born May 12, 1987) is an American photographer and filmmaker based in Houston, Texas.