Rakstra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Rakstra family

The surname Rakstra 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 Rakstra family

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

Rakstra Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rakstra have been found, including Rackstraw, Rakestraw, Rexstraw, Reckstraw and others.

Early Notables of the Rakstra family

More information is included under the topic Early Rakstra Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rakstra family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Rakstra, or a variant listed above: 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)