Surname Strahn - Meaning and Origin
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Strahn: What does the surname Strahn mean?
The last name Strahn is a variant of the German surname Strahan and originally it was used to reference to someone who lived by a main road or highway. In Old High German, it derived from the word "strazza" meaning "street". Sometimes, this surname was also used for a toll gatherer whose responsibility was to collect fees from people traveling along the main roads. The spelling variations of this surname often include Straehn, Straehne, Strahn, Straehle, Strahle, and Strahm. Over time, families carrying this surname have migrated to different parts of the world, making it a globally recognised name. Despite the variations in spelling and pronunciation, all versions of this surname maintain their root meanings from the original Germanic word.
Order DNA origin analysisStrahn: Where does the name Strahn come from?
The last name Strahn is most common today in Germany, where it ranked as the 33rd most common German surname in 2017. It is estimated that there are around 34,000 individuals in Germany with the surname Strahn, and it is prominently found in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.
The surname is of German origin and is derived from the Middle Low German words `strahne` or `strahe`. The name is believed to have originally been given to weavers as a personal moniker, most likely as a reference to the fine thread they used when weaving textiles.
Outside of Germany, Strahn can also be found in the United States and Canada, but in much lower percentages. It is estimated that there are fewer than 1,000 individuals in the United States who bear the Strahn last name. Most of these individuals are concentrated in the northeast and in the midwest states.
The name can also be found in Switzerland and Austria, though it significantly less common than other surrounding German-speaking countries. In Austria, it is believed that there are fewer than 500 individuals who hold the Strahn surname.
Overall, the last name Strahn is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is found in the greatest numbers. It can also be found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and Austria.
Variations of the surname Strahn
The surname Strahn has several variants and spellings, as well as surnames of similar origin. The most common variants include Strehn, Ströhn, Strehne, Strahle, Straehle, and Straähle.
The various spellings of this surname are derived from the Germanic word “strān”, meaning “strand” or “shore”. Originally, the surname signified someone who lived near a riverbank, lake, or other body of water.
The surname Ströhn is derived from the Old High German word “Strōho,” which means riverbank, while Strehn and Strahle are derived from the Germanic word “stral,” which could mean a variety of things, from “aim” or “goal” to “water course.”
Other similar surnames include Streehan, Strehan, Strehlen, Strehle, and Strehlhahn.
The various spellings and surnames all trace back to the Germanic word “strān”, which denoted someone who lived near a riverbank, lake, or other body of water. This was a common practice among Germanic families, such as those of the Franks and Goths. The Franks are believed to be the first people to use the surname, adopting it after their Germanic ancestors.
Famous people with the name Strahn
- Colten Strahm: TV and movie actor, appeared in the show New Amsterdam, also had a role in the movie Get Hard (2015).
- Lyndon Strahm: Author and travel writer, wrote books such as Wild East: Travels in the New Mongolia.
- Jesse Strahm: Professional golfer, turned pro in 2010 and has played on several tournaments including the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.
- Fred Strahm: Former Major League Baseball pitcher, pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers between 1992-1993.
- Udo Strahm: Swiss film producer and director, best known for his portmanteaus films starring horror actors such as Christopher Lee.
- Jack Strahm: American football player, played college football for the University of Colorado before being drafted to the NFL's Washington Redskins in 1945.
- Danny Strahm: Actor, appeared in the TV series 7th Heaven and the movie Slackers (2002).
- Tiffany Strahm: Voice actress, appeared in TV shows such as The Penguins of Madagascar and films like The Ten Commandments (2006).
- Peter Strahm: Award-winning Swiss documentary director, best known for the documentaries Männer fliegen (2002) and Sehnsucht Tibet (2008).
- Jakob Strahm: Swiss painter, known for his expressionist landscapes and portraits of famous personalities.