Armstrong (surname)


Armstrong is a surname of Scottish borders origin. It derives from a Middle English nickname which meant someone with strong arms. In Ireland the name was adopted as an Anglicization of two Gaelic names from Ulster: Mac Thréinfhir and Ó Labhraidh Tréan. Clan Armstrong is a clan from the border area between England and Scotland. The Scottish Armstrong is reputed to have been originally bestowed by "an antient king of Scotland" upon "Fairbairn, his armour-bearer" following an act of strength in battle. In the UK this surname is well represented in North East England, Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Scottish Borders, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, and Northern Ireland, and in the US it is well represented in the Deep South, and other southern states.
From the name Ó Labhraidh Tréan the following surnames survive: "Trainor", Traynor", O'Lavery", "McLavery", and "MacLavery". Although the name "Armstrong" is quite common in the Aghagallon and Glenavy area of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, the other names are to be found within the nine Ulster Counties and Scotland, especially along the west coast.

Real people

Disambiguation of common names with this surname