Rakestraw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Rakestraw family

The surname Rakestraw was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the family was John Rakestraw who was listed there in 1544. Thomas Raykestray was also listed in Yorkshire years later in 1605. 1 The name is "familiar to Lancashire and Yorkshire, where it has flourished for centuries. I suggested in my English Surnames that it was a nickname for a scavenger or dust-heap searcher. I have grown more careful as I have proceeded in my studies, and feel sure that it is a local surname, but I cannot find the spot." 2 We agree. If the name was indeed a nickname as Bardsley and Reaney previously noted, it would have surely been found throughout ancient Britain as nicknames often do. Further to the north in Perth, Scotland, John Rakstra rendered homage there in 1291.

Early History of the Rakestraw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rakestraw research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Rakestraw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rakestraw Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Rakestraw has been recorded under many different variations, including Rackstraw, Rakestraw, Rexstraw, Reckstraw and others.

Early Notables of the Rakestraw family

More information is included under the topic Early Rakestraw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rakestraw Ranking

In the United States, the name Rakestraw is the 12,969^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Rakestraw migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Rakestraw or a variant listed above:

Rakestraw Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Joseph H. Rakestraw, aged 39, who settled in America, in 1906
William O. Rakestraw, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1911
Florentine Rakestraw, aged 64, who settled in America, in 1913
Harry H. Rakestraw, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1920
Hollis Rakestraw, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rakestraw (post 1700) +

Wilbur Rakestraw (b. 1928), American retired automobile racer from Dallas, Georgia
Larry Clyde Rakestraw (b. 1942), retired American NFL football quarterback
Priscilla Rakestraw, American Republican politician, Member of Republican National Committee from Delaware, 2004-05, 2008; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Delaware, 2004, 2008 4
Jean Rakestraw, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1964 4

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html