First found in Somerset where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the oppurtunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Oak or a variant listed above: John Oaks settled in South Carolina in 1822; John Oaks settled in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1820; C. Oak settled in San Francisco in 1851; Jan Oake settled in New York in 1687.

Motto Translated: The strength of the oak is the safety of our country.

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