Rakeham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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• England

Early Origins of the Rakeham family

Early History of the Rakeham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rakeham research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1682 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Rakeham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rakeham Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Rakeham are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Rakeham include: Rackham, Reckham, Rakeham, Rackley, Rakeley and others.

Early Notables of the Rakeham family

Distinguished 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 Rakeham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rakeham family

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 opportunities 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 Rakeham or a variant listed above: 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..