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![Show Contents]() Strongfelow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Strongfelow is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a strong person. Strongfelow is a nickname surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. This surname derives from the Old English words streng and felaw, which mean strong and fellow. However, some believe that the name was an occupational name for "the stringer, a marker of bow-strings." 1 As far as the origin of the name, this source continues "All surnames with the suffix '-fellow' seem to have sprung from the North of England, especially from co. York." Early Origins of the Strongfelow familyThe surname Strongfelow was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat. This curious name emerged during the 12th century when it was the custom to adopt a nickname to assert one's prowess and stature in battle. Notable amongst this type of name was Strongbow, sobriquet of the Earl of Pembroke in his invasion of Ireland in 1172. Strongitharm may be a corruption of one English branch of the Scottish Clan Armstrong. Strongfellow, the first version of Stringfellow, and conjecturally all three names are of the Yorkshire branch of Armstrong. Both Strongfellow and Stringfellow have registered the same Coat of Arms and thus seals the obvious connection between these two names. The Yorkshire reference is of no doubt as early rolls revealed: John le Strengfelagh was listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield; 2 Laurencius Stryngefelagh was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls in 1379 1; and finally John Strynefelowe was listed in Yorkshire in 1489. Some of the family appeared in Cheshire in early times too, as seen by John le Stengfelagh in 1308; and John Strengfellow, of Openshaw, who was listed in the Wills of Chester in 1616. The same the same source listed Richard Strengfellow, of Rochdale in 1617. Early History of the Strongfelow familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strongfelow research. Another 34 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1799 and 1883 are included under the topic Early Strongfelow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Strongfelow Spelling VariationsStrongfelow has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Strongfelow have been found, including Strongfellow, Stringfellow and others. Early Notables of the Strongfelow familyMore information is included under the topic Early Strongfelow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Strongfelow familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Strongfelows to arrive on North American shores: John Stringfellow who landed in Pennsylvania in 1682; another John Stringfellow, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1858; Joseph Stringfellow, who came to Philadelphia in 1866.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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