Surname Lestrange - Meaning and Origin
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Lestrange: What does the surname Lestrange mean?
Lestrange is a surname of French origin, derived from l'étrange, which means "the strange" or "the outsider". The name could have possibly originated from a nickname for someone who was considered peculiar, unusual, or foreign. It might also have been a name that was assigned to immigrants or individuals relocating from one place to another, symbolizing their status as strangers or outsiders.
A renowned use of the name Lestrange is found in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. In the series, the Lestrange family are pure-blood wizards known for their allegiance to Voldemort, further cementing their status as 'strange' or 'unusual' in the wizarding world.
It's also worth mentioning that the spelling and pronunciation may vary depending on the geographical location and language, for example, it might also appear as L'Estrange.
However, as with all names, while history and etymology can provide some insights, it doesn't necessarily define the specific heritage, character, or destiny of anyone bearing the surname Lestrange.
Order DNA origin analysisLestrange: Where does the name Lestrange come from?
The last name Lestrange is a fairly uncommon surname today. It is primarily found in northwestern Europe, especially in France, where it is spelled Lestrangé or Lestranges, and in the United Kingdom. Records suggest it originated in the area of Brittany, near the west coast of France, prior to the 12th century. The British spelling is most likely derived from Norman French.
In France, this surname has been dormant since the Middle Ages, but in the United Kingdom it has maintained a small but continuous presence. Parish records from 16th and 17th centuries reveal the presence of families bearing the name in Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Somerset, and Devonshire counties. Today, the last name is fairly rare in the United Kingdom, with fewer than 500 bearing the surname.
In the United States, the surname is almost non-existent, appearing in a few records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is likely that if this surname is encountered in the United States, the individual is either descended from someone who immigrated from Europe, or the name has been changed from its original spelling.
Variations of the surname Lestrange
The variants, spellings, and surnames that are of the same origin for the surname Lestrange are Lestrange, Le Strange, L'Estrange, Destrange, and LeStrange. The surname is of Norman origin and is derived from the French words ‘de estrange,’ which mean ‘from a foreign country.’ It was introduced to England by the Normans after they conquered the country in 1066.
The earliest recorded use of the name in England is from 1206, when Henry III granted Bartholomew de Estrange the right to hold a court in the shire of Essex. Another record from 1214 shows Walter LeStrange as a witness to a land confirmation certificate. The name was also used for military service in the 1300s, when Sir Hugh Lestrange was knighted by King Edward II in 1317 for his bravery in battle.
In the 16th century, the name spread to Scotland thanks to Richard Lestrange, who arrived in Edinburgh in 1518 and became a prominent Scottish merchant. Richard added an ‘e’ to the end of the surname, which then became LeStrange. The name can also be found in Ireland, where it is spelled Lestrange.
Variants of this surname can also include L'Estrange, Le Strang, LeStrange, DeStrange, and Lestrange. These variants exist because some people changed the spelling of their surnames to fit the different languages they spoke. Some variants can also be attributed to regional dialects or personal preferences.
While the variants may differ in spelling, they are all of the same origin and trace their roots back to the Norman invasion of England. As the name spread to other parts of the British Isles, different variants emerged to accommodate the changing language customs in those areas.
Famous people with the name Lestrange
- Jessie Lestrange: American pop singer and actress
- Corvus Lestrange: A character from the Harry Potter series
- Rodolphus Lestrange: A character from the Harry Potter series
- Rabastan Lestrange: A character from the Harry Potter series
- Bellatrix Lestrange: A character from the Harry Potter series
- Andromeda Tonks (formerly Andromeda Black: née Lestrange): A character from the Harry Potter series
- Pierre Lestrange: French professional road bicycle racer
- Lucien Lestrange: British model and actor
- Léonte Lestrange: French actor