Early Origins of the Wraithe family
The surname Wraithe was first found in
Nairnshire, where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity. They took their name from the Castle of Rait near Geddes which was in ruins by the 1400s.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3) Today Rait is a small village in Perth and Kinross. The Wraith variant is a Scottish Gaelic word for "ghost" or "spirit."
Early History of the Wraithe family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wraithe research.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1296, 1297 and 1400 are included under the topic Early Wraithe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Wraithe Spelling Variations
Early Notables of the Wraithe family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Wraithe Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Wraithe family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Margaret Raitt, who arrived in Virginia in 1714; David Raid who settled in Maryland in 1774; Charles Raitt, who settled in Washington Co., PA in 1802.
The Wraithe 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: Spero meliora
Motto Translation: I hope for better things.