Surname Strau - Meaning and Origin
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Strau: What does the surname Strau mean?
The last name Strau is of German origin. It is derived from a German personal name which appears to have originated from the element "strau", meaning "heavy or weighty". This name likely referred to someone who was strong and muscular, or to someone who was responsible for carrying heavy loads or undertaking weighty jobs. The surname is most commonly found as Ströer, Strauß or Struck, but there are also variants such as Strüwer, Sturm and Strahl.
The name was common in Germany in the Middle Ages, and it was likely used as an occupational name for those involved in manual labor or transportation. As Germany experienced more population growth and mobility, the name moved north into Scandinavia, the Netherlands and northern Europe.
The surname was also adopted by Jewish people migrating into Germany. This version of the last name was typically spelled with a “Y” at the end, though the spelling has since changed over time. Different variant spellings of the name also exist, reflecting the tendency for people to change their last names upon arrival in a new country.
The last name Strau is found in countries around the world today, and its original meaning as a reference to strength has largely been overlooked. It is, however, still a powerful reminder of the German heritage that first carried it through time.
Order DNA origin analysisStrau: Where does the name Strau come from?
The surname Strau is most commonly found in Austria, where approximately 0.1% of the country’s population holds it. Increasingly, though, the name has been found all over Europe in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Outside the continent, the family name is also widespread in North America, particularly the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the highest concentrations of Strau can be found in California, New York, and Washington D.C. It is also widely used in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Interestingly, it is estimated that over 80% of all individuals with the Strau surname in the U.S. are descended from just two immigrants who arrived from Austria in the late 19th century.
The Strau family name is believed to have originated in Austria, and is likely derived from the old German word “strauß”, which translates to “ostrich”. It was most likely used as an identifier to denote a connection to this particular avian species, although there is no definitive evidence to support this theory.
Overall, due to its Austro-German roots, the Strau surname is most common in Germany, Austria, and other countries in that region. However, it is also widespread throughout Europe, North America, and beyond.
Variations of the surname Strau
Strau is a German surname, derived from "Stroh" meaning "straw". The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include: Strouh, Strow, Strou, Strowow, Strohauer, Strohhecker, Strauhal, Strauhausen, and Strauhalder.
The first known record of the surname Strau can be traced back to 1762 in the town of Reilingen in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It appears in the form of the local pronunciation of the surname: Strouh.
In Germany, the spellings of the surname have remained relatively consistent, though in other countries the spelling has often changed to accommodate local conventions or even intentional attempts to change the meaning. For example, the American spelling of the name is often "Strow" instead of "Strau". The spelling variations found in America and other countries include Straugh, Strou, Strowow, Strow, and Strohauer.
In German records, the surname can also be found as Strauhal, which is considered the main spelling variant, and Strauhausen and Strauhalder—the latter two probably being compounded forms of the original name.
The Strau surname is extremely rare and not widely recognized outside of Germany. However, it is possible that the surname has more variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are not yet known.
Famous people with the name Strau
- Joseph Strau (1919-2012), Austrian actor.
- Heike Strau (born 1955), German hammer thrower.
- Veronika Strau (born 1986), Austrian TV presenter and actress.
- Pauline Strau (1866-1951), Dutch children’s rights advocate.
- Wilhelm Strau (1865-1935), German business person, film producer, and theatre director.
- Johann Strauss II (1825-1899), Austrian composer.
- Hans Straus (1890-1971), Austrian entrepreneur and founder of the Strauss & Co. corporation.
- Alfred Strau (1882-1970), Austrian writer and journalist.
- Johann Strau (1845-1901), Austrian military officer.
- Margaretha Strau (1869-1959), German missionary and educator.
- Helmut Strau (1901-1995), Austrian actor.
- Ruben Strau (1904-1976), Austrian journalist and political activist.
- Heinrich Strau (1813-1892), Austrian metalsmith and sculptor.
- Theodor Strau (1871-1956), Austrian-born musician, composer, and conductor.
- Engelbert Strau (1908-1987), Austrian stage, film, and television actor.
- Paul Strau (1881-1918), Austrian sculptor and architect.
- Oscar Strau (1888-1981), German banker and entrepreneur.
- Augustin Strau (1902-1989), Austrian author and theatre critic.
- Karl Strau (1896-1966), Austrian theater director and playwright.
- Paul Strau (1833-1918), Austrian business person and philanthropist.