Surname Rakes - Meaning and Origin

Rakes: What does the surname Rakes mean?

The last name Rakes is an English patronymic surname, meaning "son of Ra(k)e," where "Rake" is a medieval diminutive form of the name Ralph or Randolph, from Old Norse and Old English, respectively. It is likely that the name first arose as a nickname given to ancestors based on their physical characteristics or temperament. It is possible that those bearing the name were generally thought of as being quick or sharp-witted, just as most plants called "rakes" are used to cultivate or loosen soil rapidly.

The spelling of the surname varies, and alternate spellings include Rake, Raikes, Racke, and Raecke. Many bearers of this name settled in the United States, particularly in the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Today, the Rakes surname is still quite common in the United States. It is also common in some other parts of the English-speaking world, including Canada, Australia, and England.

Since the name Rakes is an English patronymic, those bearing the name are not necessarily related. However, those with the last name might be interested in researching their family's genealogical history and attempting to determine how the surname might link to their ancestors. While researching their genealogy, they may find other families with the same surname and may be able to connect with distant relatives. Alternatively, many genealogy websites provide resources to individuals researching their family's history. With some research and a bit of luck, any Rakes can discover their ancestral origins.

Rakes: Where does the name Rakes come from?

The last name Rakes is most commonly found in the United States today. The name is of German origin and first appeared in the American colonies as early as the 1700s, when it was a common spelling for the name "Ruckes." It has since become an Americanized version of the original German surname, and is now one of the most common surnames in the country.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the most concentrated populations of Rakes are in the Northeastern United States, with the highest numbers in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Other areas with significant populations of Rakes are Illinois, Michigan, and California. In addition, the last name is fairly common in Virginia, West Virginia, and the Washington, DC metro area. While there are a few places in Canada, Australia, and other countries across the world where some people may bear the last name Rakes, it is much more widely found in the United States than anywhere else.

The Rakes family name is most commonly found in the United States today. While its origins are German, it has become a widely used name in the United States, and can be found in many states across the country.

Variations of the surname Rakes

The surname Rakes is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name 'Raca', which was derived from the Old High German expression meaning "the one who has acquired (wealth) by negotiating". Variants of this family name include: Rake, Reake, Reakes, Rakes, Rakey, Rackes, Rackis and Rakys.

In some versions of Rakes, the spelling of the surname has been altered over the years as a result of the changes in the English language and the influence of different nationalities. As a result, some versions of the Rakes surname are spelled in ways such as: Rakess, Rakesh, Rax, Raacks, Rex, Reix, Reicks, Racks, Reckes, Reaks, Reix, Rivero, Riveros, and Rivers.

In some countries, primarily in the United Kingdom, 'Rakes' is sometimes spelled as 'Reakes', 'Reakes', or 'Reeks'. The surname Reake is derived from the Olde English personal name 'Recca', which in turn comes from the Old High German expression meaning "the one who has obtained (wealth) by negotiating".

In addition, there are some variants of the surname that appear in non-English speaking countries such as Spain and Portugal. These include Rivero, Riveros, and Rivers.

Other variants of this surname that have come about as a result of various migrations to the United States include: Rakese, Raks, Racke, Raccke, and Rackley.

Famous people with the name Rakes

• Tom Rakes, former professional American football player
• Anthony Rakes, cricketer and member of the Australia national cricket team
• Brian Rakes, Apartheid-era South African composer
• Emily Rakes, a pioneer in women's education from the English Victorian era
• Michael Rakes, former CEO of British Airways
• Dan Rakes, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Kenneth Rakes, American country music singer and songwriter
• Jack Rakes, an Australian blues musician
• Rebecca Rakes, a World War II pilot
• John Rakes, an American inventor credited with the invention of the monuments on the Moon

Other surnames

Rakestraw