Map of England showing where the Rak arms are recorded
The Rak arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Rak arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Rak Family in England
The surname Rak has deep roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the skilled crafts or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be of occupational or descriptive origin, potentially linked to the Old Norse or Middle English words used to describe a person who was slender or perhaps someone who worked with specific tools. As the family established themselves in Northern England, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that characterized the Stuart era. By settling in a major urban hub like York, these early ancestors were positioned at the heart of regional commerce, which likely influenced their livelihood and their integration into the local community for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rake
A narrow path or steep mountain pass.
This name
RakA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep slope or mountain pass.
also spelled
Raike
Raick
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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