Surname Strachan - Meaning and Origin

An Intimate Journey through Time: Unraveling the Origins and History of the Strachan Family through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Unraveling the story of my family name, Strachan, through a DNA analysis by iGENEA, I embarked on a journey to the roots of my ancestors. From northeastern Scotland to lands far-flung, tracing the steps of ancient Strachans provided an enriching context to my lineage and rekindled a sense of pride in my heritage.

A. Strachan

Strachan: What does the surname Strachan mean?

The surname Strachan is Scottish in origin, derived from the Gaelic “Srath Achadh,” translating to "valley of the field" or "valley of the plain." The name is often associated with a geographic location, specifically the village of Strachan, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Like many surnames of Scottish origin, Strachan is believed to be a territorial surname where individuals were identified by the land they owned or inhabited. The surname dates back to ancient times and has been identified in various historical documents and records, indicating its long-standing presence in Scottish heritage. Notably, the surname's pronunciation can differ widely. In its native land, it is often pronounced as "Strawn" or "Strachan," while outside Scotland, it's frequently pronounced as spelled. Regardless of its pronunciation, the surname Strachan reflects a rich connection to Scottish topography and history.

Strachan: Where does the name Strachan come from?

The last name Strachan is a Scottish surname primarily associated with the Borders region of Scotland. Strachan is the 24th most common last name in Scotland today and is most common in the Dumfries & Galloway region. As of the UK census of 2011, the Strachan name is also found across the rest of the United Kingdom including England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Overseas, the Strachan surname is most common in Canada and Australia. In Canada, the Strachan name is found mainly in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. In Australia, it is most common in the states of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The Strachan name is also found in smaller numbers in the United States of America, New Zealand and other countries with high numbers of people of Scottish ancestry.

Although not a particularly common name, Strachan still has a distinct history in Scotland, especially in the Borders region. Strachan often appears associated with prominent historical figures including British Navy Admiral Sir Thomas Strachan, Robert Strachan who served under Bonnie Prince Charlie and Field Marshall Sir William Strachan. Today, there are still a number of well-known Strachans including footballer Darren Strachan and the presenter of British TV show The Big Family Cooking Showdown, Zoe Strachan.

Variations of the surname Strachan

The surname Strachan has a few variants and spellings. It is related to the Scottish Gaelic name Strathan. The most common variant of Strachan is Straghan, Strachon, and Stretcham. The Strachan surname is derived from the gaelic word “strath” which means a wide valley or plain. The name was likely given to someone who lived in a valley or on a plain.

The most common spellings for the surname Strachan are Strachan, Straghan, Strachon, and Stretcham. Other variants include Strawn, Strechan, Strechon, Strahan, and Strathan.

Strachan is also an alternate spelling of the surname McStrachan. McStrachan is a Scottish name derived from the Gaelic Mac an Strahain meaning “son of the stream”. McStrachan is the same as Mac Strachan or Strachan.

The Strachans are a Scots-Irish clan found primarily in Scotland and Ireland. Their surname has been established in Scotland since at least 1202. The Strachan Clan is found in Scotland’s Borders and Lowland areas.

The Strachan name is also found in other countries, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

While there are several variants, spellings, and surnames related to Strachan, they all have the same origin as Strachan – the gaelic language and the Strachan clan.

Famous people with the name Strachan

• Craig Strachan: Former world-level figure-skater
• Gordon Strachan: Former Scottish soccer player and manager
• Chuck Strachan: Emeritus professor of physics at Ohio State University
• Frank Strachan: Former Scottish sports commentator and critic
• Stu Strachan: American football player
• David Strachan: British epidemiologist who helped develop the World Health Organization’s commission on Social Determinants of Health
• Don Strachan: Canadian professional football player
• Donnie Strachan: American football player
• Robert Strachan: Canadian Paralympic athlete
• Ron Strachan: Scottish footballer
• Grant Strachan: Professional Canadian basketball player
• Danny Strachan: Professional Australian rugby player

Other surnames

StrachenStrachinStrachounStrachquhen