Strain
A Scottish surname usually understood as an Anglicized form of Strachan or Strahan, with some older sources also linking it to a place-name in northern Scotland.
The #3,999 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 34,757 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Most of the older surname authorities treat Strain as an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname Strachan, or sometimes Strahan. In that tradition, the name is linked to a place-name sense, with Strachan explained as referring to a little strath or valley. Some later Irish material groups Strain with forms like Strachan and Strahan, reinforcing the idea that the surname often reflects a Gaelic name adapted into English spelling.
History
The name is especially associated with Scotland, where one source specifically says there was a town in the north of Scotland written Strane. In English-language records, Strain appears as a variant spelling alongside or in place of related forms such as Strachan and Strahan. The surname later spread to North America, where it remains uncommon but established.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older genealogical dictionaries sometimes read Strain not as a fully separate surname, but as a simplified spelling of a more elaborate Scottish form.
From the historical record
“2 conf. with Strachan', q.v. STRAIN, an Anglicized form of Strahan, Strachan, q.v. (esp. the former). STRAINS, Strain's (Son) : V. Strain. STRAKER (Eng.) Stroker ; Striker (an occup. surname) [f. O.E. strdcian, to stroke ; O.E. strican (pret. sing.' strdc), to rub, (also) move, go (E. 'strike']”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)