Last Name Drake: Origins, Meanings, and Famous People

The last name Drake is a common and intriguing surname with roots reaching back centuries. It holds a rich history and diverse origins, making it a fascinating study for genealogy enthusiasts and anyone interested in the evolution of surnames. This article will delve into the meanings behind the name Drake, explore its historical origins, and uncover notable individuals who have carried this surname throughout history.
1. **Drake:** Meaning "dragon" in Old English, this name evokes a sense of power and strength. It also has a connection to the dragon as a mythical creature, often symbolizing courage and wisdom.

2. **Drakeford:** This surname combines the element "Drake" with "ford," meaning "a shallow place where a river can be crossed." It suggests a location near a ford, possibly indicating a place of passage or settlement.

3. **Drakes:** This surname is a simple plural form of "Drake," likely referring to multiple individuals or families bearing the name. It can also be a geographical name, referencing a place with a connection to dragons or a ford.

4. **Drakestone:** This surname combines the element "Drake" with "stone," referencing a stone with a dragon-like appearance or possibly a place where dragons were once believed to reside.

5. **Draken:** Meaning "dragon" in Dutch and Scandinavian languages, this name carries the same connotations of strength and power as the English "Drake." It is a more direct and literal translation of the term.

6. **Drakenberg:** This surname, of Dutch origin, combines "Draken" with "berg," meaning "mountain." It suggests a location near a mountain associated with dragons, potentially a place of legend or folklore.

7. **Drakenburg:** A variation of "Drakenberg," this name maintains the same core meaning of "dragon mountain" and carries the same connotations of power and grandeur.

8. **Drakesley:** This surname combines "Drake" with "ley," an Old English word meaning "meadow." It suggests a location near a meadow associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of grazing or settlement.

9. **Drakeway:** This surname combines "Drake" with "way," indicating a path or road. It suggests a location near a road associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of travel or commerce.

10. **Drakeley:** This surname combines "Drake" with "ley," an Old English word meaning "meadow." It suggests a location near a meadow associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of grazing or settlement.

11. **Drakesmith:** This surname, meaning "blacksmith," combines "Drake" with "smith." It likely refers to a blacksmith who was known for his skill or who lived in a place associated with dragons or a ford.

12. **Drakefield:** This surname combines "Drake" with "field," suggesting a location near a field associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of farming or settlement.

13. **Drakeson:** This surname combines "Drake" with "son," indicating a descendant of a person named "Drake." It carries the legacy and history of the original "Drake" ancestor.

14. **Drakeshire:** This surname combines "Drake" with "shire," indicating a county or district. It suggests a location associated with dragons or a ford, possibly representing a place of governance or regional identity.

15. **Draker:** This surname is a simplified form of "Drake," potentially referring to a person who lived near a dragon-like formation or a ford.

16. **Drakenfield:** This surname combines "Draken" with "field," suggesting a location near a field associated with dragons, potentially a place of farming or settlement.

17. **Drakenhill:** This surname combines "Draken" with "hill," suggesting a location near a hill associated with dragons, potentially a place of legend or folklore.

18. **Drakenholt:** This surname combines "Draken" with "holt," meaning "wood." It suggests a location near a wooded area associated with dragons, potentially a place of refuge or mystery.

19. **Drakenmoor:** This surname combines "Draken" with "moor," meaning "heathland." It suggests a location near a moorland associated with dragons, potentially a place of wildness or legend.

20. **Drakenwood:** This surname combines "Draken" with "wood," suggesting a location near a wooded area associated with dragons, potentially a place of refuge or mystery.

21. **Drakewood:** This surname combines "Drake" with "wood," suggesting a location near a wooded area associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of refuge or settlement.

22. **Drakeworth:** This surname combines "Drake" with "worth," meaning "an enclosed area." It suggests a location near an enclosed area associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of protection or settlement.

23. **Drakelow:** This surname combines "Drake" with "low," meaning "hill." It suggests a location near a hill associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of legend or folklore.

24. **Drakeland:** This surname combines "Drake" with "land," indicating a piece of land. It suggests a location associated with dragons or a ford, possibly a place of ownership or settlement.

25. **Drakewell:** This surname combines "Drake" with "well," indicating a spring of water. It suggests a location near a spring associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of life-giving water or legend.

26. **Drakestown:** This surname combines "Drake" with "town," indicating a settlement. It suggests a place named after a person named "Drake" or a location associated with dragons or a ford.

27. **Drakeville:** This surname combines "Drake" with "ville," meaning "town" or "village." It suggests a location named after a person named "Drake" or a location associated with dragons or a ford.

28. **Drakeham:** This surname combines "Drake" with "ham," meaning "homestead" or "village." It suggests a location named after a person named "Drake" or a location associated with dragons or a ford.

29. **Drakesbury:** This surname combines "Drake" with "bury," meaning "fort" or "fortified place." It suggests a location near a fort or fortified place associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of defense or settlement.

30. **Drakeborough:** This surname combines "Drake" with "borough," meaning "a fortified place." It suggests a location near a fortified place associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of defense or settlement.

31. **Drakesbridge:** This surname combines "Drake" with "bridge," suggesting a location near a bridge associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of passage or settlement.

32. **Drakesgate:** This surname combines "Drake" with "gate," suggesting a location near a gate associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of entry or exit.

33. **Drakesend:** This surname combines "Drake" with "end," suggesting a location at the end of something, potentially a path, a road, or a river. It suggests a location associated with dragons or a ford, possibly a place of termination or boundary.

34. **Drakeford:** This surname combines "Drake" with "ford," meaning "a shallow place where a river can be crossed." It suggests a location near a ford, possibly indicating a place of passage or settlement.

35. **Drakenford:** This surname combines "Draken" with "ford," suggesting a location near a ford associated with dragons, potentially a place of passage or settlement.

36. **Drakesmere:** This surname combines "Drake" with "mere," meaning "lake." It suggests a location near a lake associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of tranquility or legend.

37. **Drakeswood:** This surname combines "Drake" with "wood," suggesting a location near a wooded area associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of refuge or settlement.

38. **Drakesmoor:** This surname combines "Drake" with "moor," meaning "heathland." It suggests a location near a moorland associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of wildness or legend.

39. **Drakesdale:** This surname combines "Drake" with "dale," meaning "valley." It suggests a location near a valley associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of settlement or beauty.

40. **Drakeleigh:** This surname combines "Drake" with "leigh," meaning "meadow." It suggests a location near a meadow associated with dragons or a ford, potentially a place of grazing or settlement.