Surname Straud - Meaning and Origin
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Straud: What does the surname Straud mean?
Straud is a German family name believed to have originated in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria sometime during the 16th century. Although the spelling of the name has slightly varied over the years, the roots of the name remain the same. The name is derived from the old German word Stroud meaning ‘road’ or ‘path’. Thus, it can be interpreted as being a metonymic occupational name for a person who operated or looked after a road.
The earliest records of Straud as a family name can be traced back to 1575 when a Johann Straud from Oberhummel in Upper Bavaria appears in a court document as a witness. Evidence suggests that the Straud family name was relatively widespread within the area at the time.
Today, Straud is still a common family name within Bavaria. While the trauma of two world wars and emigration has caused the name to spread out across the world, it is still particularly popular in regions of Bavaria and Germany that border the Czech Republic.
Straud is not only a popular surname in the Upper Palatinate region. It has also been translated into English as Stroud, Strude, Stroudt, and Strudel. The name is also extremely popular amongst Jewish communities as the original German spelling is one of the traditional Ashkenazi surnames.
In modern times, Straud is a reminder of a proud and ancient Bavarian heritage. For many generations, the Straud family name has been preserved in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria and around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisStraud: Where does the name Straud come from?
The last name Straud is most common today in the United States and Germany. It has an origin in German and has been around since the Middle Ages. In the US, the name can be found in a variety of states throughout the country.
In the US, Straud is one of the most common surnames in Pennsylvania – specifically in the cities of Reading, Allentown, and Bethlehem. It is also popular in Wisconsin, especially in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. It can be found in other Midwestern states such as Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska as well.
In Germany, we see the surname Straud in popular cities like Berlin, Leipzig, and Bremen. It is especially concentrated in Bavaria, the southernmost region of Germany. The name also has a presence in Austria and Switzerland.
Straud is an uncommon name outside of the US and German-speaking countries, although it might pop up here and there in other countries.
Variations of the surname Straud
The surname Straud is common in German speaking regions, especially in the former Austro-Hungary region, with recorded origins from as far back as the 11th century AD. It may have derived from the Middle High German word ‘Struit’, meaning ‘strong’ or ‘fierce’, which is still recognized as a common given name in certain regions.
The most common spelling variations of Straud include Straut, Stroud, Strood, Strohde, Strad, Strautman, Straudmann, Strautmann, and Strayd. Some of the variants also carry the prefix ‘von’ in certain regions, denoting a long-standing place of nobility within certain family trees. The spelling variations of the surname are also used interchangeably depending on the region from which they originated.
The spelling variations of the surname have given rise to many derived surnames, such as Nowostrut, Strutwölf, Strutt, Strasburg, Strudel, Stroda, Stroodler, Strauss, Ströbling, and Struck. Each of these surnames carried with it a unique meaning that relates to the original Straud family.
Overall, the surname Straud has had a long history in certain regions of Europe, and its many spelling variations have spread throughout many countries, including the United States and Canada. It is a testament to the resilience of the family that the name has last throughout such vast changes of time and place.
Famous people with the name Straud
- Ted Stroud: Retired admiral in U.S. Navy, former assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Heidi Straud: American restaurateur from Sonoma County, California.
- John Stroud: Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.
- Max Strud: Swiss musician, DJ and record producer.
- Harry Stroud: American film and television composer.
- Robert Stroud: American ornithologist.
- Mary Straud: American fashion designer.
- Daniel Stroud: American movie producer.
- Ben Stroud: American screenwriter.
- Toby Stroud: British art historian and author.
- Terry Stroud: British sculptor and installation artist.
- Mark Stroud: British actor, writer and director.
- Chris Stroud: American professional golfer.
- Mack Straud: American professional wrestler.
- Paul Stroud: British environmental journalist.
- Carl Stroud: American trumpeter and arranger.
- David Stroud: American composer and record producer.
- Georgia Strud: Australian actress.
- Bill Strud: British fashion designer.
- Liz Stroud: American actor and voice actress.