Armstong

The surname Armstrong is of English origin, dating back to the 12th century in the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland (now part of Cumbria). It is derived from the Old English words "ærm" meaning arm and "strong" meaning strong or vigorous, indicating someone with a strong arm or physical strength.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often recorded as Armestrang or Armestrong in various historical records. One of the earliest known references to the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cumberland in 1195, where a John Armstrang is mentioned.

In the 13th century, the Armstrong clan established themselves as a prominent Border Reiver family, known for their involvement in the perpetual feuds and raids across the Anglo-Scottish border regions. The Armstrongs were particularly active in the Liddesdale area of the Scottish Borders.

The Armstrong name appears in several notable historical manuscripts, including the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One such entry is for Gilbert de Armstrang, a landowner from Cumbria.

In the 16th century, the Armstrongs were notorious for their participation in the Border Reivers' activities, and their exploits were chronicled in the ballads and folk tales of the time. One of the most famous members of the clan was Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, who was executed in 1530 by King James V of Scotland for his reiving activities.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the Armstrong surname, including:

1. William Armstrong (1810-1900), an English engineer and industrialist who invented the hydraulic accumulator and founded the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing company.

2. Neil Armstrong (1930-2012), the American astronaut who became the first person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

3. Lance Armstrong (born 1971), the American former professional road cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005, before being stripped of his titles due to doping allegations.

4. Samuel Armstrong (1839-1893), an American educator and founder of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, now known as Hampton University, which was one of the first historically black colleges and universities in the United States.

5. Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), the legendary American jazz trumpeter, singer, and actor, considered one of the most influential figures in jazz history.