Surname Drake - Meaning and Origin

Unfolding Genetic Ancestry: Tracing the Drake Lineage through iGENEA DNA testing

Setting out on a quest to comprehend my paternal lineage and the roots of my surname 'Drake', I opted for a Y-DNA test from iGENEA. The test results invariably affirmed the British origin of my lineage and offered an insightful narrative to the history of the 'Drake' lineage, linking it to the ancient Celts with seafaring prowess.

E. Drake

Drake: What does the surname Drake mean?

The last name Drake has multiple origins and meanings. The most common interpretation is that it's derived from the Old English word "draca," meaning dragon or snake, which is often linked to a standard bearer in the army who carried a dragon-shaped standard. It could have been a nickname for someone who behaved in a dragon-like or fearsome manner. Alternatively, it's also associated with the Old Norse word "Draki" which also means 'dragon' or 'serpent'. Another possible origin has a more peaceful connotation, linking it to the male duck, called a drake in English. It might have been given as a nickname to someone who resembled a male duck, perhaps in his walk or voice. Thus, the last name Drake usually suggests a relation to strength, fearlessness, or noticeable characteristics. It's a surname common in England and has been found in early English records dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Drake: Where does the name Drake come from?

The surname Drake originates from England and has roots in Old Norse and Old English languages. It derives from the Old Norse byname Draki, meaning "snake" or "dragon," or from the Old English "draca," which also means "dragon." Initially, it was likely a nickname for someone who had a serpent-like quality or it was used metaphorically to denote a fierce warrior. It has also been used as a name for a male duck.

Apart from England, variations of the surname Drake exist in Denmark and the Netherlands. This surname has been carried to many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, through colonization and immigration. Despite its history and spread, it is particularly common in England and the United States. According to Forebears, a genealogical research website, it was the 264th most commonly found surname in England and Wales in 2014, and the 682nd most common in the United States as of 2014. Today, it is still predominantly found in these two countries. The popularity of the surname has been maintained, in part, due to notable personalities like Sir Francis Drake, a renowned English explorer, and the popular Canadian musician, Drake.

Variations of the surname Drake

The surname Drake is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has numerous alternate spellings, some of which include Drakes, Draec, Drakke, Dracke, and Draker. Derived from the Old English pre 7th Century term "draca" or "drake", this surname was initially used as a nickname for someone who exhibited the traits of a male duck or for a fierce warrior or leader, as "draca" was often used metaphorically to refer to a dragon.

In addition to the common form of "Drake", there are also several surnames that share the same origin. A few examples include Draycott, Drawbridge, Drayton, and Drage. The latter, which is still somewhat in use today, is of medieval English origin and is said to have been used to signify a dragon or a standard-bearer in the Middle Ages.

While numerous variations of the surname Drake can be found throughout England, the name is also particularly common in Ireland, where it was often used as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O Drisceoil, which means "descendant of the interpreter."

In summary, although the surname Drake does have several variant spellings and associated surnames, all generally trace their origins back to Old English or Gaelic terms.

Famous people with the name Drake

• Drake: An award-winning Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.
• Larry Drake: An American actor known for his role in the television series "L.A. Law."
• Nick Drake: 20th-century English singer-songwriter and musician.
• Jessica Drake: An American pornographic actress and sex education advocate.
• Betsy Drake: An American actress and writer, who was the third wife of Cary Grant.
• Tom Drake: An American actor known for his role in "Meet Me in St. Louis."
• Charles Drake: A popular American character actor in many classic films.
• Victoria Drake: An American-Julian actress featured in many popular shows.
• Ted Drake: An English footballer, who played for Southampton and Arsenal.
• Francis Drake: An English sea captain, slave trader, and explorer in the Elizabethan era.
• Alfred Drake: An American actor and singer, known for his roles in Broadway performances.
• Gabrielle Drake: An English actress known for her role in "UFO."
• Pete Drake: A famous American country musician and producer.
• Ruth Drake: An American actress known for her roles in silent films.
• Frankie Drake: A fictional character from the Canadian TV series "Frankie Drake Mysteries".

Other surnames

Drak