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![Show Contents]() Racklay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Racklay surname is a habitational name from a place in Sussex, so named from Old English words "hreac," meaning "mound," and "ham," or "homestead." Early Origins of the Racklay familyThe surname Racklay was first found in Sussex, at Rackham, a hamlet, in the parish of Amberley, hundred of West Easrith, rape of Arundel. 1 The name is very rare as we could find only early entry for the name in Suffolk when John Rackham was listed in the Subsidy Rolls there in 1524. 2 Early History of the Racklay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Racklay research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1682 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Racklay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Racklay Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Racklay has been spelled many different ways, including Rackham, Reckham, Rakeham, Rackley, Rakeley and others. Early Notables of the Racklay familyDistinguished members of the family include John "Calico Jack" Rackham (Rackam, Rackum) (1682-1720), an English pirate operating in the Bahamas during the early 18th century. He was captured, then hanged outside Port Royal, Jamaica in 1720. Rackham is best remembered for his design of his Jolly Roger flag, a skull with crossed swords, which contributed to the popularization of the design; and for having two female crew members: Mary...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Racklay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Racklay familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Racklays to arrive in North America: Claudius Rackham, who settled in New York in 1868; Joshua Rackham, who settled in New York in 1868; as well as Emily, Eliza and George Rackham, who arrived in Charlottetown, P.E.I. in 1891..
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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