Stradling

Researchers found the origin of this surname Stradling by referring to such documents as the Viking Sagas, the Orkneyinga Sagas, the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, the Inquisitio and the translations of local manuscripts, parish records, baptismal & tax records, found in the north of Dingwall, and in the Orkneys and Shetlands.

The first record of the surname Stradling was found in Somersetshire where they were seated from ancient times as Lords of the manor of St Donats. The family being one of the few surviving nobles of the Danish presence in England about 900 A.D. The surname was latinised Easter Lingus which was corrupted to Estarling.

In those early days when surnames were in their formative stage it is not uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling of his name, married with another and yet another to appear on his headstone. Amongst the spellings recorded were Esterlng, Estarling, Easterling, Eastarling, Estradling, Stradling, but this does not preclude other spellings used within the family name, particularly those adopted in North America.

The Sinclairs, under Earl on Jarl Sigurd, were the early chiefs of the settlement. They penetrated as far south as Northumberland in England, but King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland gathering the boarder clans, drove them back northward to Sutherland about the year 1057. For this assistance many of the boarder clans such as the Grahams and Douglas were granted northern territories.

The family name Stradling emerged as a Scottish Clan or family in the territory of Somerset where this name became an essential part of the Welsh nation. Anciently, Sir William of Esterling was one of the twelve knights who accompanied Robert Fitzhamon, Earl of Gloucester, to the assistance of the Prince of Glamorgan, Justyn Ap Gwrgant. This distinguished Somerset family was an important element in the defense of the Welsh Marches, and descended was Sir John Stradling who was the 6th Baronet in the year 1611. They also branched north to Herefordshire, which became one of their main seats. The present family is still represented by a Baronet. Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir John Stradling.

The New World beckoned the more adventurous amongst the Scots. Some made their way by the Highland Regiments which saw service in North America. Others indentured themselves for as long as ten years. Some of the disillusioned migrated from Ireland, but mostly directed from northern Scotland and the Isles.

The tiny sailing ships, designed for 100 passengers but which often carried 200 to 300 people plied the stormy Atlantic. They were known as the 'White Sails'. Frequently they lost 30 to 40% of their passenger list to disease and the elements.

One of the first migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the family name Stradling, of that same Clan or family, was Ann and David Stradling who settled in Virginia 1663, along with Florence; Solomon Stradling arrived in Philadelphia Pa. in 1868.

From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward, some to the mid west, others to the west coast. During the American War of Independence some remained loyal to the Crown and moved northward into Canada, becoming known as the United Empire Loyalists.

There are many prominent people of the surname Stradling, Rt. Rev. Leslie Stradling of Cork Bay, South Africa, late of Canada; Thomas Stradling M.P. for Monmouth.

Although this Viking theory is very colourful and interesting, it does not have much evidence to support it. For more documented evidence of the family name, please visit www.stradling.org.uk