 The Strachans, similar to the Gifford family, were of Anglo-Norman descent, and with a moderate to high probability descendants from Waltheof, Ealdorman of Bamburgh (fl.900).Waltheof de Strachan succeeded Ranulf, and in c.1230, granted the priory of St. Andrews in Fife, forest rights (i.e., to hunt, cut timber, and graze livestock) in Blarkerocch, which is located within the barony of Strachan.