Stram
An occupational surname meaning a straw worker or thatcher.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Stram. That puts it at #49,268 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stram surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#49,268
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
427
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 427 bearers of the surname Stram in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 49268th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stram, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stram
The surname STRAM has its origins in the Low German language, spoken in Northern Germany and the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old Saxon word "stram," meaning "rigid" or "stiff," potentially referring to a person's physical build or demeanor.
One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Bremisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of historical documents from the archbishopric of Bremen, dating back to the 13th century. The name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the regions of Lower Saxony and Friesland during this period.
In the 14th century, variations of the name, such as "Stramme" and "Strammen," can be found in records from the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, suggesting that the name may have been associated with trade and commerce during the heyday of the Hanseatic League.
One notable bearer of the surname was Johann Stram, a German merchant and alderman in the city of Hamburg, who lived from 1520 to 1592. His family's wealth and influence were documented in the city's archives, indicating their prominent status in the local community.
Moving into the 17th century, the name Stram appears in records from the Dutch province of Friesland, where it was sometimes spelled as "Straam" or "Straamke." During this time, a man named Pieter Stram (1614-1678) gained recognition as a skilled painter and engraver, known for his landscapes and seascapes.
In the 19th century, the name Stram was carried across the Atlantic by German and Dutch immigrants to the United States. One notable figure was Friedrich Stram (1821-1896), a German-born American farmer and businessman who settled in Wisconsin and was instrumental in the development of the local dairy industry.
Another prominent individual bearing the surname was Anna Stram (1858-1934), a Swedish-American author and educator who advocated for women's rights and founded several schools in the state of Minnesota.
While the surname STRAM is not among the most common in the world, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and regions, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have shaped its origins and evolution over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stram
Among Census respondents with the surname Stram, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Stram bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Stram surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.8%
- Two or more races4.2%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stram surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #49,268 | #49,268 | 0.0% |
| Count | 427 | 427 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Stram bearers went from 427 to 427 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #49,268 to #49,268.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Stram
FAQ
Stram surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stram?
The surname Stram holds position #49,268 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stram surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stram, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.