Armstrongs

Armstrongs is the plural form used to refer to people bearing the surname Armstrong. The surname Armstrong originates in England and Scotland and is derived from a nickname meaning “strong arm” or “arm-strong,” applied to someone noted for physical power. Over time it became a hereditary surname and spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond.

Today, Armstrongs are found throughout the English-speaking world, with high concentrations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, reflecting waves of migration from Britain and Ireland. The name has many lineages and has given rise to various family histories.

Notable Armstrongs include Neil Armstrong (1930–2012), American astronaut and lunar first; Louis Armstrong (1901–1971), influential American jazz trumpeter and vocalist; Edwin H. Armstrong (1900–1951), American engineer who developed FM radio; and Lance Armstrong (born 1971), American cyclist and seven-time winner of the Tour de France (titles stripped following doping investigations).

In business and institutions, the surname Armstrong has been used in company names such as Armstrong World Industries, a ceiling and flooring manufacturer, and Armstrong Whitworth, a British engineering firm. The name also appears in local histories and genealogies of numerous Armstrong families worldwide.