DRAKES
Drakes
Origin
Drakes is a surname of English origin, deriving from the old English word "draca", meaning dragon or serpent. The surname is classified as topographical, indicating a person who lived near a place associated with dragons.
History
The Drakes surname dates back to medieval times in England, specifically in the counties of Devon and Cornwall. One of the most notable bearers of the surname was Sir Francis Drake, a renowned Elizabethan naval commander and explorer, who is famous for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role in defeating the Spanish Armada. His exploits have contributed to the enduring popularity of the surname Drakes.
Variations
Throughout history, the Drakes surname has been subject to various spelling variations, including Drake, Draik, Drac, and Drak. These variations might have arisen due to differences in regional accents or scribes recording names phonetically.
Present Day
In the present day, the surname Drakes remains relatively common in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions with historical connections to the name such as Devon and Cornwall. Individuals bearing the surname Drakes can be found engaged in a variety of professions and industries, reflecting the diverse nature of modern British society.
Notable Individuals
Apart from Sir Francis Drake, there have been various notable individuals with the surname Drakes, albeit not as famous as the legendary explorer. These include academics, artists, professionals, and individuals from various walks of life, each contributing to the rich tapestry of British history and culture.
Typical given names associated with the Drakes surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Benjamin
- Clive
- David
- John
- Malcolm
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
- Tarik
- Timothy
Female
- Anna
- Avril
- Beverley
- Carol
- Caroline
- Felicia
- Jacqueline
- Janet
- Joanna
- Judith
- Nicola
- Sandra
- Sarah
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 Drakes in...
Braille
⠙⠗⠁⠅⠑⠎
Morse
-...-..--.-....
Semaphore
There are approximately 464 people named Drakes in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Drakes.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Drakes
- Vasbert Drakes - West Indian cricketer
- Thomas Drakes - (1908 to 1974)
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.