Surname Raft - Meaning and Origin

Raft: What does the surname Raft mean?

The last name Raft has a variety of possible meanings, depending on which language it originates from. It could be derived from German, meaning 'raft', as in a group of logs tied together. This could be a reference to a family that worked in the timber industry or travelled by raft.

It could also be derived from Middle English or Old French, meaning 'raft' as in a small area of land surrounded by water. This could be a reference to a family that lived near a river or lake and made a living from fishing or water related industries.

The surname could also have originated from Old French, with the meaning 'tree of judgement', referencing a family's connection to court or legal work.

Finally, it could be derived from the Latin word 'ravum', meaning 'ransack', referencing a lawless ancestor or a family that had turbulent past.

Though the origins of the last name Raft remain unclear, its possible meanings demonstrate different aspects of the family's history and highlight its potential connections to industries such as timber, fishing, law and ransacking.

Raft: Where does the name Raft come from?

The last name Raft is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the midwestern and eastern states. There are also scattered instances of it in parts of Canada, South America, and Europe.

Raft is derived from the Old French word "Raft," which has the same meaning. The earliest known bearer of this surname, for example, is Richard de Raft, a 12th-century Englishman.

In the United States, Raft is most common in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. It is also found in some areas of the Midwest, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa. Further, there is a concentration of Rafts in the southern states of Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It is likely that most of the instances of the name in these areas probably have Germanic or Dutch roots.

Raft is also found in some parts of Canada, particularly in Ontario, as well as parts of South America, particularly in Colombia and Venezuela. In these areas, it is likely that the surname is of Spanish origin.

In Europe, the last name Raft is most common in the UK, particularly in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is also found in a few other countries, including France, Germany, and Italy.

Today, Raft is still relatively uncommon, though its frequency is slowly growing in some countries.

Variations of the surname Raft

The surname Raft has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which include Reisch, Rafft, Raf, Rauff, Raugh, Rauph, Reif, Reiff, Raif, Raué, Raufft, Raff, Rauf, Raaff and Réf.

The origins of the surname Raft can be traced back to early Germanic roots. The name is derived from the Germanic elements ‘rad’ which means ‘counsel’ or ‘ counsel’ and ‘fELt’ which means ‘strong’ or ‘power’. Thus, the surname Raft can be understood to mean ‘strong in counsel’ or ‘powerful in advice’.

The surname Raft was a popular name among Germanic peoples in the Middle Ages. During this time, the spelling of the surname evolved through various variants. It is likely that the current spelling of Raft was developed from the Germanic ‘radfELt’. This variant was then adopted by other languages in Europe, such as English, which has the variation ‘Rafft’ or ‘Rauth’.

The surname Raft is still found in various variants all across Europe. In France, the variation is ‘Reisch’ while in the UK a variation is ‘Rauffe’. In Germany and Austria, the name is ‘Rauff’ while in Poland, it is ‘Rauph’. It is also found under the variants ‘Reif’, ‘Reiff’ and ‘Raif’ in other parts of Europe and the world.

In conclusion, the surname Raft has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The origins of the name are rooted in early Germanic roots and have been adapted to various languages in Europe. Variations include Reisch, Rafft, Raf, Rauff, Raugh, Rauph, Reif, Reiff, Raif, Raué, Raufft, Raff, Rauf, Raaff and Réf.

Famous people with the name Raft

• George Raft: American film actor, of German, English and Irish ancestry. He starred in many films such as Some Like It Hot (1959), Scarface (1932), and The Glass Key (1942).
• Barbara Raft: American actress who was best known for her roles in the TV series The Silent Service, Alcoa Theater, and Sea Hunt.
• Lillian Raft: American vaudeville performer best known for her nightclub act in which she sang popular show-tunes.
• Robert Raft: American actor and film producer who starred in films such as The Naked City (1948) and All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953).
• Rae Raft: American actress and artist who starred in films such as The Miami Story (1954) and Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948).
• Harry Raft: American film producer who was a partner at Monogram Pictures, the studio he co-founded, and later served as the President of Monte Prods., the studio he and his two brothers created.
• Sam Raft: American director and producer who directed and produced films such as The Beast of the City (1932) and Law of the Tropics (1941).
• Jack Raft: American actor and film director whose film credits include Playgirls (1945), The Black Book (1949), and Dangerous Assignment (1949).
• George E. Raft: American actor and voice artist who appeared in cartoons and television shows such as The Bugs Bunny Show (1960) and The Flintstones (1960).
• David Raft: American film actor who was best known for his role as ‘Daisy Mae’ in the classic musical feature Oklahoma! (1955).

Other surnames

RaffalovitchRaffertyRafkinRafschneiderRaftery