Rakely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Early Origins of the Rakely family

Early History of the Rakely family

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

Rakely 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 Rakely were recorded, including Rackham, Reckham, Rakeham, Rackley, Rakeley and others.

Early Notables of the Rakely 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 Rakely Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rakely 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 Rakely family emigrate to 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..