Wraithe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

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] Today Rait is a small village in Perth and Kinross. The Wraith variant is a Scottish Gaelic word for "ghost" or "spirit."

"The name is of considerable antiquity in Scotland. Among the documents preserved in the Exchequer Office is the Submission and Fealty of Sir Gervays de Rate, given at Elgin, July 27th, 1295. Their principal seat was at Hall Green, in the shire of Kincardine, where the older parts of the castle still show their armorial bearings. The first Rait, according to Nisbett, took refuge in the Mearns during the 14th century, having had to leave his native district of Nairnshire for some capital crime. It is certain that Raits were settled in the Mearns, and held the lands of Owres or Uras at that period; but it was not until the close of the following century that they had any connection with Hall Green. From that time, till the year 1724, they were possessed of it; and from them all the Raits of any note in Angus and the Mearns, whether landholders, ministers, farmers, or merchants, claim to be descended." ^[2]

Early History of the Wraithe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wraithe research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1296, 1297, 1724, 1378, 1478, 1400, 1280, 1296, 1296, 1297, 1342, 1350, 1350, 1355 and 1990 are included under the topic Early Wraithe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wraithe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rait, Raitt, Raid, Rate, Raith and others.

Early Notables of the Wraithe family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Gervase Rait Constable of Invernairn of Castle Rait. His younger brother Sir Andrew de Rait of Rait (born c.1280) was also a noble of note. He was Constable of Nairn Castle in 1296. He appears on the 1296 Ragman Roll giving homage to King Edward I of England. He succeeded to his brother's estates and titles...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wraithe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wraithe family

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.

Citations +

^ 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)
^ Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3