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Show ContentsStrange History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The surname Strange is derived from a nickname in the Old French. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demi-gods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends that portrayed animals behaving as humans. The Old French nickname Strange, meant "stranger." Nicknames come from the category of surnames known as hereditary surnames. They were adopted from a variety of sources including, physical characteristics, behaviour, mannerisms, and other personal attributes. Strange would have been given to someone who was new in the village or parish. In the Middle Ages, the vast majority of people never traveled any more than thirty miles or so from the place of their birth. Travel and emigration was reserved for the nobility, by and large. The surname Strange was derived from the Old French word estrange, which meant foreign. This is a name associated with the Bretons, a culture from the peninsula of Brittany, in the northwest of France. Formerly known as Armorica, a possession of the Roman Empire, this land consists of a plateau with a deeply indented coast and is broken by hills in the west. However, the region was renamed Britannia Minor by the Romans, following the emigration of six thousand Britons across the English Channel, an event which took place at the behest of the Roman Commander in Britain.

Early Origins of the Strange family

The surname Strange was first found in Derbyshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Pevell's Castle in the peak of Derbyshire. Guido le Strange, son of the Duke of Brittany was present at a joust with Owen, Prince of Wales and the Scottish Prince. Guido le Strange was ancestor of the various baronial houses of L'Strange and Strange. "The church [in Wellesbourn-Hastings in Warwickshire] is partly Norman, and partly in the early English style, with a tower of later character, and contains a monument to the memory of Sir Thomas le Strange, lord-lieutenant of Ireland in the reign of Henry VI." 1

Roger Le Strange (died 1311), was an early English jurist, "a descendant of Guy Le Strange, who is thought to have been a younger son of Hoel II, Duke of Brittany (1066-1084). He was sheriff of Yorkshire during the last two years of the reign of Henry III, and the first two of that of Edward I. " 2

Early History of the Strange family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strange research. Another 152 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1255, 1267, 1296, 1305, 1320, 1324, 1332, 1349, 1353, 1361, 1375, 1547, 1584, 1588, 1611, 1631, 1646, 1654, 1682, 1696, 1754 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Strange History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strange Spelling Variations

The Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules, and therefore, Breton surnames have many spelling variations. Latin and French, which were the official court languages, were also influential on the spelling of surnames. The spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. Therefore, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England after the Norman Conquest, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. The name has been spelled Strange, Strang and others.

Early Notables of the Strange family

Notable of this family during the Middle Ages was

  • Fulk le Strange, 1st Baron Strange of Blackmere (1267-1324); John le Strange, 2nd Baron Strange of Blackmere (1305-1349); Fulk le Strange, 3rd Baron Strange of Blackmere (1320-1349); John le Strange...
  • Richard Strange (1611-1682) was an English Jesuit, born in Northumberland in 1611, entered the Society of Jesus in 1631, and was professed of the four vows on 21 Nov. 1646 and Sir John Strange (1696-1...
  • Richard Strange (1611-1682), was an English Jesuit from Northumberland

Strange Ranking

In the United States, the name Strange is the 2,095th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 3

Ireland Migration of the Strange family to Ireland

Some of the Strange family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Strange migration to the United States +

Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Strange family to immigrate North America:

Strange Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Strange, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "George" 4
  • Emma Strange, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1634
  • Ben Strange, aged 18, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 4
  • George Strange, who arrived in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1635 4
  • William Strange, aged 25, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Paul" 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Strange Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Danl Strange, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 4
  • Thomas Strange, who landed in Virginia in 1706 4
  • Elizabeth Strange, who settled in Maryland in 1775
Strange Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Fried. Strange, aged 28, who arrived in New Orleans in 1845 aboard the ship "Agnes"
  • Edwin B Strange, who arrived in New York in 1846 4
  • L V Strange, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 4
  • Edward Strange, aged 34, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1874 4

Canada Strange migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Strange Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Seth Strange U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 5
  • Mr. Gabriel Strange U.E., (Strang) (b. 1755) who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in the Loyalist Corps, died in 1826 5
Strange Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Pat Strange, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1806 6
  • Bridget Strange, who settled in Harbour Main, Newfoundland in 1809 6
  • James Maxwell Strange, who arrived in Canada in 1834
  • John Strange was a fisherman of Port de Grave, Newfoundland in 1838 6
  • Joseph Strange, who settled in Lower Burgeo, Newfoundland in 1854 6

Australia Strange migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Strange Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Ann Strange who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 20th November 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia and Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
  • Mr. John Strange, (Stranger), (b. 1802), aged 21, English book binder who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1873 8
  • Mr. Escott Strange, (b. 1823), aged 19, English stable boy who was convicted in Bath, Somerset, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
  • John Sida Strange, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Senator" in 1849 10
  • Priscella Strange, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Senator" in 1849 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Strange migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Strange Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John B. Strange, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 11
  • Mrs. Maria Strange, British settler travelling from London with 6 family members aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 11
  • Mrs. Eleanor Strange, (b. 1816), aged 42, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 11
  • Mr. John Strange, (b. 1818), aged 40, British labourer and gardener travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 11
  • Mr. John Strange, (b. 1856), aged 2, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Strange (post 1700) +

  • John "Johnny" Strange (1991-2015), American three-time world record holding adventurer; he died in a wingsuiting accident from the Montain Gitschen
  • Glenn Strange (1899-1973), American actor, probably best known as Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series
  • Curtis Strange (b. 1955), American golfer, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, winner of 17 PGA Tour matches
  • William E. "Billy" Strange (b. 1930), American session musician 12
  • Johnnie C. Strange, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
  • John B. Strange (b. 1880), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Eaton County, 1933-34; Defeated, 1906, 1918, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1934 13
  • John Strange, American Republican politician, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, 1909-11 13
  • James Magruder Strange (b. 1818), American politician, Delegate to Virginia secession convention, 1861 13
  • James F. Strange, American politician, Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland, 1909-19 13
  • James B. Strange, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1912 13
  • ... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Leonard Strange, British Boy 1st Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 14
  • Arthur Leonard Strange (1916-1945), , aged 29, from Copnor, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, British Petty Officer Airman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 14
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Edward J Strange (b. 1914), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Liverpool, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Charles Orval Strange, American Fireman Second Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 16
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  6. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-gray
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The SENATOR 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Senator.htm
  11. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  12. William Strange. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) William Strange. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Strange
  13. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  14. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  15. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  16. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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