We studied the traditional (authentic) modes as part of GCSE music at school. We were tested by having the teacher play scales in the different modes and having us write down the name of the mode being played. We didn't cover the plagal modes though.
As Taylor says, the Ionian (C-C) and Aeolian (A-A modes) sound the most familiar to us; the Ionian mode shares all the same notes with the C major scale and the Aeolian mode is very similar to A minor with the exception being the flattened 7th.
The Lydian (F-F) and Mixolydian (G-G) are similar though, as they are both very closely linked to they equivalent major scales; the Lydian mode is just F major with a sharpened 4th and the Mixolydian mode is just G major with a flattened 7th.
Therefore is only really the Dorian (D-D) and Phrygian (E-E) modes that a more distant from traditional western scales. Both the Dorian and Phrygian modes have a minor feel to the them, but the pattern of notes in the scale sound distant from the conventional melodic or harmonic minor scales. This is most likely why these modes seem to be the most commonly used when doing modal writing.
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