Armstrong

From WikiName

 |surname

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The surname Armstrong may be of English, Irish or Scottish origin. It is a name derived from a nickname, literally, someone with strong arms, from the Old English words of Saxon origin, “earm” and “strang.”^[1] There was an Irish equivalent, Ó Labhradha Tréan, and the English version was adopted by many Irish families.^[1]

According to legend, the first Armstrong was an armor-bearer for a Scottish king. In battle the king’s horse was killed, and the armor-bearer immediately hoisted him onto his own horse. Previous to this, the family name had been Fairbairn. Traditionally, this family resided on the Scottish border.^[1]

POPULARITY

Armstrong is a very common surname in the United States. According to WhitePages.com, it ranked as the 192nd most common surname. The highest concentration of people with the name Armstrong is in Texas, followed closely by California, Florida and Ohio.^[1]

In England and Wales, Armstrong ranks as the 138th most common surname.^[1]

FACTS

• NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong was the commander of Apollo 11 and was the first man to set foot on the moon.^[1] When he stepped out, he said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," a phrase which has gained a permanent place in American history and pop culture.^[1]
• The Armstrong motto is “Invictus Maneo,” which can be translated as “I remain unvanquished.”^[1]
• There were more than 4000 Armstrongs who served in the Civil War. 2652 served on the Union side, while 1561 served on the Confederate side.^[1]
• Stretch Armstrong was an action figure popular in the 1970s and 80s. It was filled with corn syrup so that it could be stretched elastically.

NAMESAKES

• Armstrong Flooring
• Armstrong Atlantic State University
• Armstrong Air
• Armstrong Hand Tools
• Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
• Armstrong County, Texas
• Armstrong, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Armstrong, Victoria, Australia

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Lance Armstrong: cyclist and cancer survivor (born September 18, 1971)
• Neil Armstrong: astronaut (born August 5, 1930)
• Louis Armstrong: Jazz musician (born August 4, 1901)
• Billie Joe Armstrong: lead singer of band Green Day
• Darrell Armstrong: basketball player
• Armstrong Williams: political commentator (born February 5, 1959)

NOTES

Author: Sarena Emily Levinson