Strachan
Racial Origin – Scottish
Source – A locality
This family name is derived from a parish name in Kincardineshire, Scotland, and of course was borne in the first place either by those who held big lands in that place or who, upon travelling to other parts, became known by it in preference to their previous homes.
But though the family name has been formed in English rather than in the Gaelic manner, the place name itself is Gaelic.
Its meaning is that of “little valley” or “valley-head,” and it is a compound of the words “strath” or “sira” (which also gives the name Strathclyde) and “ceann” or “chan,” which you’ll also find in the surname of that famous Scottish historical figure “Malcolm Ceann-Mor” (literally “Malcom Big-Head”).
But in the combination the “ch” sound dominates and eliminates the “th,” giving the pronunciation “strachan” rather than “Strath-chan,” though more anciently the place was called “Strathaen.”
