Rack History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Wales

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The origins of the Welsh name Rack go back to the ancient Celtic culture that existed in the hills and Moors of Wales. The forbears that initially held the name Rack once lived near a pass or narrow valley. The surname Rack is derived from the Old English word hraca, which means throat. The surname Rack belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. However, the surname Rack may be derived from residence at The Rake in Sussex, at Raikes Farm in Surrey, or at Raikes in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In this case, the surname Rack belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Rack family

The surname Rack was first found in Lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Rack family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rack research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1690 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Rack History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rack Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Rack have included Raikes, Raike, Raik, Rakes, Rake and others.

Early Notables of the Rack family

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

Rack migration to the United States +

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Rack:

Rack Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Isaack Rack, who landed in Virginia in 1655 1

Rack Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Miles Rack, who landed in Virginia in 1702 1
Christr Rack, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 1

Rack Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Rack, who arrived in America in 1854 1
Phil Rack, who landed in America in 1854 1
Rosa Rack, aged 40, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1893 1
Johann Rack, aged 50, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1893 1

Rack migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rack Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Rack, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 31st August 1852 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Rack (post 1700) +

Joseph Rack, American politician, Industrial Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania at-large, 1920 3
Edmund Rack (1735-1787), English miscellaneous writer, born at Attleborough, Norfolk, son of Edmund and Elizabeth Rack, co-founder of the Bath Philosophical Society, and became its first secretary

The Rack Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Honestum praeferre utili
Motto Translation: To prefer the honest to the profitable.