Straban Township was erected in 1746 when this area was part of Lancaster County. Named for Strabane, a town in Country Tyrone, North Ireland, this spelling was in use here as late as the 1870's. By and large the original boundaries remain unchanged to this day. York County was formed out of Lancaster County in 1749, and for the next 51 years Straban Township was a part of York County, untill Adams County was formed in 1800.