stroh

Stroh is a surname of German origin. The name derives from Stroh, the German word for straw, and was historically used to denote someone who worked with straw or straw goods. It is found among German-speaking populations and in communities with German ancestry around the world.

In addition to a family name, Stroh has been used as a place name and in corporate branding. Several small localities in German-speaking regions bear the name, and in the United States some places were named for early settlers bearing the surname.

The best-known enterprise associated with the name is the Stroh Brewery Company, an American brewer founded in Detroit in 1850 by Bernhard Stroh. The company expanded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming one of the leading regional brewers and a recognizable national brand in the United States, particularly for Stroh's lager. In the late 20th century the company experienced financial difficulties and ultimately filed for bankruptcy; its brands and assets were subsequently sold to other beverage companies, and production was relocated or discontinued over time.

The name Stroh has since appeared in various contexts, including trademarks and corporate histories, and remains a recognizable example of a German-derived surname that broadened into American industry and culture.