This interesting and unusual name is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word 'sronach', meaning curious or inquisitive, used to describe someone who possessed these traits. However, it could also have been used as a nickname to describe the shape or size of a person's nose. The name development since 1447 (see below) includes the following: Andro Stronoch (1547, Dippil), John Stronoche (1586, Huntlie) and Andrew Stronocht (1594, Scotfauld, Spynie). The modern surname can be found as Stronach, Stronack, Stronoch and Stronough, and the name is found mainly in Aberdeenshire. Among the sample recordings in London are the christening of John Stronach, son of John and Ann Stronach, on March 14th 1774 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster and the marriage of George Ebenezer Stronach and Mary Ann Moore on June 29th 1847, at St. Bride, Fleet Street. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Duncan Stronoch (witness), which was dated 1447, Miscellany of the Spalding Club, Aberdeenshire, during the reign of King Henry V1, 'The Founder of Eton', 1422-1461. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.