Rafael History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

Etymology of Rafael

What does the name Rafael mean?

The ancient Italian name Rafael originates from the Hebrew name Raphael "God heals." 1During the Middle Ages, this surname shifted from "ph" to "ff" in Italian, frequently becoming Raffaele. This name was popular in Italy for it's religious significance by invoking the Archangel Raphael as a protector of the sick and travelers. 1

Early Origins of the Rafael family

The surname Rafael was first found in Lucca, a city and comune in Tuscany, capital of the province of Lucca and where Bascilican type churches abound.

Some were from the ancient and noble family from Cingoli, originating from and of the same lineage as the family from Gubbio. The first mention of them dates back to the 11th century, and the Archives of Gubbio Cathedral preserve a document from 1228, signed by Bishop Ubaldo, which speaks of a certain Caffarello, who is the recognized founder of the Raffaelli family. (Spretti)

Early History of the Rafael family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rafael research. Another 254 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1263, 1280, 1314, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1324, 1337, 1342, 1350, 1376, 1381, 1395, 1494, 1534, 1535, 1581, 1631, 1661, 1668, 1744, 1748, 1749, 1752, 1754, 1762, 1780, 1867, 1872, 1882, 1884, 1895, 1903, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1916, 1919, 1923 and 1925 are included under the topic Early Rafael History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rafael Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Raffaele, Raffaeli, Raffaèle, Raffaèli, Raffaèlo, Raffèlli, Rafèle, Raphaèl, Raffaèllo, Raphae'l, Raphaël, Rapha'el. Through spelling variations and many more.

Early Notables of the Rafael family

Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rafael Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rafael Ranking

In the United States, the name Rafael is the 14,785^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Rafael migration to the United States +

Rafael Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

T Rafael, aged 26, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1830 3
J. Rafael, who settled in San Francisco in 1852
D Rafael, aged 40, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1853 3
Antone Enos Rafael, who settled in Nevada in 1872
Franz Rafael, who settled in America in 1873
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rafael (post 1700) +

Vicente L. Rafael (1956-2026), Filipino professor of Southeast Asian history at the University of Washington, Seattle
Jhony Rafael Brito (b. 1998), Dominican professional baseball pitcher
Julio Rafael Pineda (1937-2026), Cuban-American television news reporter who spent four decades as anchor for the Spanish language station WXTV
Edmundo Rafael Rada Ángulo (b. 2019), Venezuelan politician who served as councilman he created the first Municipal Children's council
Junior Rafael Alvarado (b. 1986), Venezuelan Thoroughbred horse racing who rode the winning horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby
H. Rafael Lake (1894-1958), American architect who worked on Hotel Californian in 1923, in 1924 he partnered to create Shields, Fisher and Lake then Fisher, Lake and Traver
Lincoln Rafael Díaz Balart (1954-2025), Cuban-American attorney and politician, member of the Republican Party, the U.S. representative for Florida's 21st congressional district (1993-2011), previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, was chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute
José Rafael Cordero (b. 1987), known by the ring name Lince Dorado "Golden Lynx", American professional wrestler
Ángel Rafael Torres Ruiz (1952-2025), Dominican Major League Baseball pitcher who played in 1977 with the Cincinnati Reds

The Rafael 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: Te Ducet
Motto Translation: He will guide you

Sources +

De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario Dei Cognomi Italiani, edited by Arnoldo Mondadori, Italy, Oscar Mondadori, 1978.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)