Strand

This is an English locational or topographical surname of pre 7th century origins, which one might have expected to be better known. It is in fact quite rare, although both in England and Scotland there are a number of places called Strand, sometimes with a prefix such as the village names Sidestrand or Overstrand in East Anglia. The derivation is from the word "strand" which originally described a shallow shore or river line, where boats could be drawn up. This is or was the meaning of the famous street in London, known as "The Strand", which in earlier times formed the bank of the Thames. Whether the surname originated from people living by "The Strand" is uncertain, although the preponderance of recordings in the surviving London church registers from the 16th century, suggest that this may well have been the case. Early examples of these recordings include Phillipus Strand, a witness at the famous church of St Martins in the Field, Westminster, on May 25th 1673, and Richard Strand, a christening witness at the church of St Mary Whitehouse, Stepney, on April 15th 1792. The earliest church recording that we have is that of Franncis Strand, who was married at St Brides church, Fleet Street, London, on September 10th 1599. This was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603.