Show ContentsRaphael History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Raphael family

The surname Raphael was first found in Lucca, a city and comune in Tuscany, capital of the province of Lucca and where Bascilican type churches abound. The history commences in 218 B.C., and passed through many hands in the intervening centuries. Many notable scholars and prelates lived here. The cathedral of St Martin was begun in 1060 by Bishop Anselm, later Pope Alexander II. It has many museums and galleries. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry.

Early History of the Raphael family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Raphael research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1263 and 1535 are included under the topic Early Raphael History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Raphael Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Raffaele, Raffaeli, Raffaèle, Raffaèli, Raffaèlo, Raffèlli, Rafèle, Raphaèl, Raffaèllo, Raphae'l, Raphaël and many more.

Early Notables of the Raphael family

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

Raphael Ranking

In the United States, the name Raphael is the 8,619th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Raphael migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Raphael Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Raphael, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina sometime between 1763 and 1764
Raphael Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Raphael, who arrived in Boston or Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1820
  • Joseph Raphael, who settled in New York, NY in 1822
  • Solomon Raphael, who arrived in New York in 1839
  • James Raphael, who settled in Philadelphia in 1844
  • Levi Raphael, who arrived in America in 1847
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Raphael migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Raphael Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Raphael, (Rayfield, Reyfield, Ripheal), British convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1853 2
  • John Raphael, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Flora" in 1851 3

New Zealand Raphael 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:

Raphael Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • M. Raphael, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ulcoats" in 1864

Contemporary Notables of the name Raphael (post 1700) +

  • Joseph Raphael De Lamar (1843-1918), Dutch-born, mine owner and operator in the western United States and Canada, eponym of the ghost towns: Delamar, Nevada; De Lamar, Idaho; and Delamar, California and the Delamar Mountains in Nevada
  • Nathaniel Raphael Jones (1926-2020), American lawyer, jurist and academic, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (1995-2002)
  • John Raphael Quinn (1929-2017), American Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop of San Francisco (1977–1995)
  • Eli Raphael Roth (b. 1972), American multiple award winning producer, actor and writer
  • Jack Raphael Ham Jr. (b. 1948), former American NFL Football linebacker, inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Sir Clement Raphael Freud (1924-2009), English broadcaster, writer, politician and chef
  • Professor Frederic Raphael Jevons (b. 1929), University of Manchester, and author
  • Gerald Raphael Finzi (1901-1956), British composer
  • Alexander Raphael Cools-Lartigue, Canadian Queen's Counsel
  • Anton Raphael Mangs (1728-1779), German painter


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LADY FLORA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851LadyFlora.htm


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