Struthers

The surname Struthers originated in Scotland, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word 'streother,' which means a boggy or marshy area covered in brushwood. This suggests that the name may have been a descriptive one, referring to someone who lived near or in a marshy area overgrown with brushwood.

The earliest known record of the name is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where it appears as 'Strothir.' This was a list of Scottish landowners and nobles who were forced to swear fealty to King Edward I of England. Another early mention of the name is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1357, where it is spelled as 'Strothyre.'

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various Scottish records, including the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. For example, in 1483, a John Struthers is mentioned as a resident of Lanarkshire. In the 16th century, the spelling of the name became more consistent, with variations such as 'Struthers' and 'Struthir' being commonly used.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Struthers was William Struthers (1516-1570), who was a Scottish lawyer and judge. He served as the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1565 to 1570. Another notable bearer of the name was John Struthers (1776-1853), a Scottish poet and journalist who was known for his contributions to Scottish literature.

In the 18th century, the Struthers family was prominent in the Scottish Borders region, particularly around Roxburghshire and Berwickshire. One notable member of the family from this era was John Struthers (1720-1786), a Scottish minister and writer who authored several religious works.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Sir John Struthers (1823-1899), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1876 to 1880. Another prominent figure was Gavin Struthers (1854-1928), a Scottish businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Glasgow from 1906 to 1910.

While the surname Struthers has its origins in Scotland, it eventually spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, as Scottish families emigrated in search of new opportunities.