Le Strange

Recorded as Le Strange, Lestrange, Strange, Strainge, and Stranger (England) and Lestrange and Letrange (France) this most interesting surname is of pre 7th century origins. It was first used aas medieval nickname for a newcomer or foreigner to an area, deriving from the word "estrange", and the later Middle English "strange". All the early recordings of the name are found in the county of Norfolk, having been introduced into that area of England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname first appears in English records in the late 12th Century John Lestrange being recorded in the tax rolls known as "Feet of Fines" for Norfolk in 1195. Other early examples of the surname include Ralph le Estrange, mentioned in the Curia Regis rolls of Suffolk in 1199; Hugh le Strange listed in the Assize Court Rolls of Salop in 1221; and Fulco Strange, mentioned in the records of the Abbey of Ely in Cambridgeshire in 1256. Roger le Strange who died in 1311 filled various important judicial, military and administrative posts for King Edward 1st (1272 - 1307). Alexander Strange (1818 - 1876) joined the Madras Light Cavalry in 1834 and did much work on the trigonometrical survey of India. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Lestrange. This was dated 1192, in the Pipe Rolls of the County of Norfolk, during the reign of King Richard 1st, known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.