Map of England showing where the Rake arms are recorded
The Rake 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 Rake 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 Rake Family in England
The surname Rake is rooted in the landscape and language of medieval England. It is a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a specific geographical feature. In Old English and Middle English, the word rake referred to a narrow path, a steep mountain pass, or a rocky gorge. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of York in 1620, the name had already been in use for generations as a way to identify individuals by their proximity to these rugged trails. Because York was a major center for trade and administration during the seventeenth century, the Rake family likely participated in the bustling urban life of the city as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Their presence in local records from this era suggests they were well-integrated into the community, contributing to the growth and history of one of England’s most significant northern cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hraca
Old English term referring to a rake or a scraping tool.
This name
RakeA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep path or a narrow 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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