Reckstraw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Reckstraw family

The surname Reckstraw 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 Reckstraw family

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

Reckstraw Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Reckstraw include Rackstraw, Rakestraw, Rexstraw, Reckstraw and others.

Early Notables of the Reckstraw family

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

Migration of the Reckstraw family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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)