Surname Stritch - Meaning and Origin
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Stritch: What does the surname Stritch mean?
The last name Stritch is of French origin and is derived from the word "estritch", which means "thistles". It is believed that the name was given to those who had come from, or had ties to, the region of Normandy.
The earliest recorded use of Stritch as a surname dates back to 1219 where a man by the name of John Stritche, was a tenant on a farm in Derbyshire. Although Stritch is of Norman descent, the surname did not remain relegated to France, but spread throughout Europe due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
During the Middle Ages, those bearing the Stritch name held a reputation for being fierce and loyal warriors who dedicated their lives to the service of noblemen and great lords. As a result of this, throughout the low and middle classes of British society, Stritch was a well-known and respected name. It was a name of strength, courage, and loyalty.
Today, the last name continues to remain prominent in many British lineages and its association with the norms continues to bring a sense of pride to those of French-Norman descent. Furthermore, it is a patronymic surname that was also used to describe one's occupation in ancestries, such as "Stritch-smith".
Order DNA origin analysisStritch: Where does the name Stritch come from?
The last name Stritch is most commonly known in the U.S., the UK, and Canada today. Stritch is an old surname that was first found in England during the Middle Ages. In the United States, the Stritch family name is most commonly found in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The highest concentrations of Stritch families can be found in and around the cities of Philadelphia and Chicago. In the United Kingdom, the name Stritch is most commonly found in the counties of Kent, Suffolk, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. In Canada, the surname is found mainly in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
The Stritch family name was carried to America by a number of immigrants between the 17th and 20th centuries. Early immigrants to North America included: John Stritch, who arrived in Boston in the year 1658; Thomas Stritch, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1788; William and George Stritch, who settled in Philadelphia in 1796; and Philip and Christian Stritch, who sailed to Canada in 1836.
In modern times, the Stritch name has come to be associated largely with philanthropy, business, and the performing arts. Notable people who have borne the Stritch name are Edie Stritch, the American musical theatre comedienne; Kathryn Stritch Maxwell, the American fashion designer; and Congressman James Stritch, who represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1935 to 1947.
Variations of the surname Stritch
The surname Stritch is an anglicized form of several Gaelic and Celtic surnames. The most common variation is Stritch, but other variations include Stritch, Strich, Stritch, Stricht, Stritchh, Striiche, Strach, Strach, Strache, Strysch, Straat, Stracht and Stratch.
Stritch is derived from the Gaelic word 'strigh', which means angry or sharp-tempered, and is attributed to a familial reputation for boldness or anger. This moniker was then adopted as a surname in Scotland, Ireland and England.
The surname Strich is the German variation of Stritch. It is derived from the Old German word 'strich', which means a stream. Strich could have been used to describe someone who lived near a stream or was born near a stream.
The English variation of Stritch is Strach. This form of the name comes from the Middle English word 'straz', which means 'to struggle', which likely referred to someone who was strong and brave.
The Scottish variation of the Stritch surname is Strache. This form of the name is derived from the Old Norse word 'strak', which means 'shrewd' or 'clever'. The use of this name likely referred to a person of great cunning and wit.
Lastly, the Irish variation of Stritch is Straat. This form of the name is derived from the Old Irish 'srath', which means 'valley'. The use of this name likely referred to someone who lived in or near a valley.
Famous people with the name Stritch
- Elaine Stritch: Actress, singer, and comedian known for her Tony Award-winning role in the musical Company.
- Nora Stritch: Actress, director, and producer known for her performance in the television series, Law & Order.
- Jonathan Stritch: Actor and writer known for his roles in various television shows and films.
- Sam Stritch: Retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Billy Stritch: Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger, lyricist, and musician.
- Gene Stritch: Professional golfer and instructor who won the PGA Championship in 1973.
- Andre Stritch: Former American football player who played for the San Diego Chargers from 1993 to 1999.
- Madison Stritch: Professional ballet dancer and choreographer.
- Brandon Stritch: Comedian and actor known for his stand-up performances.
- Antony Stritch: French multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter.