DRAKE

The surname Drake is of purely English origin, deriving from the Old English byname or nickname Draca, which means “dragon” or “serpent”. The term dates from the pre‑7th century and is ultimately sourced from the Latin draco, a word signifying a snake or a mythical monster.

In the medieval period the name may have been applied as a nickname to an individual noted for a fierce or fiery temperament in battle. Alternatively, it could have served as a topographic surname for someone who dwelt near a place associated with dragons or serpents, or as an occupational mark for a person who performed the symbolic duty of a standard‑bearer. Historical references support this occupational use, with the variant Draker recorded in Cambridgeshire in 1260.

The same word, in Middle English, also identified the male duck, suggesting an additional, though less common, possible source for the surname’s early use among those connected with poultry or marshland habitats.

Among the most celebrated bearers of the name was Sir Francis Drake, born in 1540 and deceased in 1596, whose daring naval exploits culminated in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The heraldic achievement granted to the family consists of a silver shield emblazoned with a red wyvern whose wings are displayed and tail nowed. The crest is a dexter arm erect, cut off at the elbow, holding a black battle‑axe. The family motto, “Aquila non captat muscas”, translates from Latin as “The eagle catcheth not flies”.

The earliest documented spelling of the family name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as Leuing Drache in Hampshire, an entry made during the reign of King William I, known as “The Conqueror”.

Typical given names associated with the Drake surname

Male

• Andrew
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Robert
• Stephen

Female

• Alison
• Angela
• Elizabeth
• Helen
• Julie
• Margaret
• Mary
• Patricia
• Rebecca
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Drake in...

Braille

⠙⠗⠁⠅⠑

Morse

-...-..--.-.

Semaphore

Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Drake are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate digestive.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Drake

• Francis Drake - Sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era (1540 to 1596)
• Nick Drake - Singer-songwriter (1948 to 1974)
• Gabrielle Drake - Actress
• Molly Drake - Poet and musician (1915 to 1993)
• Ted Drake - Football player and manager (1912 to 1995)
• Matt Drake - Musician
• William D. Drake - Musician
• Billy Drake - Flying ace (1917 to 2011)
• Ol Drake - Musician
• Howard Drake - Diplomat
• Edward Drake - Alpine skier
• Simon Drake - Magician
• Bryan Drake - New Zealand singer (1925 to 2002)
• Jeannie Drake, Baroness Drake - Trade unionist and life peer
• Maurice Drake - Judge (1923 to 2014)
• Bill Drake - Rugby league player (1931 to 2012)
• Ray Drake - Football player (1934 to 2013)
• Sarah Drake - Botanical illustrator (1803 to 1857)
• Alfred George Drake - Recipient of the Victoria Cross (1893 to 1915)
• Alonzo Drake - Football player and county cricketer (1884 to 1919)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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