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Rait History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Rait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Belgium
France
Scotland

From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Rait family. Originally, the French people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in France is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Rait is a nickname type of surname for a person of regal bearing or a person who played a king in a local festival. Looking back further, we find the name Rait was derived from the Old French word "roy," meaning "king."

Early Origins of the Rait family

The surname Rait was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France, where the family has held a family seat since ancient times.

Early History of the Rait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rait research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1098, 1306, 1330, 1470, 1533, 1570, 1583, 1645, 1726 and 1803 are included under the topic Early Rait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rait Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ray, Rays, Raie, Raies, Raye, Rayes, Rée, Rées, Rait, Rey, Reys, Rei, Reis, Duray, Leray, De Laray, Laray, du Ray, de Ray, Delurey and many more.

Early Notables of the Rait family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rait Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rait migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rait Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Rait, who arrived in Nevis sometime between 1653 and 1675

Rait Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert Rait, who settled in New York in 1833
Crichton S. Rait, who settled in New York, NY sometime between 1844 and 1877
Helen Rait, who arrived in New York in 1872

Rait migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rait Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

David Rait, who settled in Nova Scotia sometime between 1772 and 1838

Rait migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rait Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Alexander Rait, aged 28, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Ann Rait, aged 28, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
John Rait, aged 6, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Christian Rait, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mr. Alexander Rait, (b. 1814), aged 28, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Rait Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Gracieuseté de Ray
Motto Translation: The graciousness of Ray

Citations +

New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html