Rackstra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Rackstra family

The surname Rackstra 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 Rackstra family

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

Rackstra Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Rackstra were recorded, including Rackstraw, Rakestraw, Rexstraw, Reckstraw and others.

Early Notables of the Rackstra family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Rackstraw family of Lancashire

Migration of the Rackstra family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Rackstra family emigrate to North America: Grace Rackstraw, who came to Pennsylvania in 1688; Thomas Rackstrow, who arrived in Virginia in 1774; and John Thomas Rackstraw, who came to Georgia in 1888..

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)