Find out how popular the last name Strait is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Strait.

Strait, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Strait surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Strait in America

Strait is the 5352nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Strait surname appeared 6,505 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Strait.

We can also compare 2010 data for Strait to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Strait

The surname STRAIT is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the Old French word "estrait" meaning narrow or close. It is believed to have originated in England during the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many Norman French settlers arrived and established themselves in various parts of the country.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname STRAIT can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Estreit" in the county of Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name was already in use among the Norman nobility or landowners who had settled in this region.

Throughout the medieval period, the STRAIT surname was found primarily in the counties of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, areas with strong Norman influence. The name was often associated with individuals living near narrow passages, straits, or confined spaces, reflecting the original meaning of the word.

One notable historical figure bearing the STRAIT surname was Sir John Strait, a prominent English soldier and knight who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century. He was born around 1420 and served under the House of York, distinguishing himself in several battles against the Lancastrians.

Another individual of note was William Strait, a merchant and shipping magnate from Norfolk, who lived in the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the establishment of trade routes between England and the Mediterranean, and his ships were known for their safe passage through narrow straits and waterways.

In the 17th century, the STRAIT surname gained prominence in the American colonies, with several individuals bearing this name among the early settlers. One such person was Thomas Strait, born in 1630 in Lincolnshire, England, who later emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony and became a prominent landowner and farmer.

Another noteworthy figure was Elizabeth Strait, a Quaker preacher and activist born in 1682 in Pennsylvania. She was known for her advocacy of women's rights and her efforts in promoting religious tolerance and social reform during the colonial era.

In the 19th century, the STRAIT surname was further disseminated across the United States, with individuals bearing this name playing important roles in various fields. One such person was Richard Strait, a renowned architect born in 1820 in Ohio, whose designs left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of several American cities.

Throughout its history, the STRAIT surname has maintained its connection to its original meaning, often associated with individuals living near or traversing narrow passages, straits, or confined spaces. Its enduring presence across different regions and time periods serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped the English language and its surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Strait

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Strait.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Strait was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Strait has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Strait was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Strait, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!