This name is of Scottish locational origin, from the lands of Strachan (pronounced "Strawn") in Kincardineshire. The name derives from the Gaelic "stath" meaning a valley, plus "eachain", the diminutive of "each" a horse. Hence, "the valley of the horses". The surname from this source is first recorded at the commencement of the 13th Century (see below). The name was spelt "Stratheuchin" in 1203 "Registers of Aberbrotoc Abbey" and Strahechen c.1220 (Dunfermline). The spelling Strahin appears in 1494, and 1512 one, David Straughin was Procurator of the Scottish "Nation" in the University of Orleans. In the modern idiom the name has four spelling variations: Stra(c)han, Straughan (Northumberland) and Strain (Northern Ireland). John Strachan (1778 - 1867) M.A. Aberdeen, 1797 went to Canada and became first bishop of Toronto in 1839. He founded Toronto University. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Waldeuus de (of) Stratheihan. which was dated c.1200, Granted the lands of Blarkerocch to the Church of St. Andrew. during the reign of King William the Lion of Scotland, 1165 - 1214. 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.