Guild of One-Name Studies

One-name studies, Genealogy

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    • 2,066 studies
    • 7,332 surnames

Retained profile for the former
Raynham One-Name Study

This study is no longer registered with the Guild, but this profile page has been retained at the member's request. Please note that neither officers nor members of the Guild are able to answer any questions about this study.

About the study

The Raynham name has been researched by myself since 1990 and today it roots can be traced directly back to John RAINEHAM (1560-1634) who lived and worked at Brettenham, Suffolk, England. An extensive database has been produced and continues tobe updated as and when additional data is found or has been forwarded to me.

Worldwide the name can be found in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the USA.

Variant names

Raineham, Rainham, Raneham, Rayneham, Raynum and Reynham are variants of the name that has been noted. In many instances these appear to be direct misspelling of the Rainham/Raynham names save the medieval name of (de) Reynham.

Name origin

The origin of the name has not been confirmed both Rainham and Raynham are place names in Kent, Essex and Norfolk but no connections with these have been found. Gilbert de Reinham name was noted for 1199, other documents researched make references to de Reynhams in Norfolk during the 14th C.

Historical occurrences of the name

No known Raynhams rose to National prominence however a few do deserve a mention and include:

  • Frederick Phillip Raynham (1893-1954), pioneer aviator who tried to fly the Atlantic in just prior to Alcock and Brown'€™s successful non-stop flight. Freddie later went on to Chief Test Pilot for Sopwith, undertook surveying routes for Imperial Airways and at the outbreak of war he joined the R.A.F. Air Accident Investigation Service.
  • Harry Frederick Raynham (1919-1944) whist serving with the RAAF 463 Squadron was shot down and killed in his Lancaster bomber at Arnhem in 1944.
  • Eustace Frederick Raynham DSO (1865-1939) born in Suffolk, England became Secretary to the De Beers mining company at Kimberley, SA and fought in the Siege of Kimberley (Boar War) for which he was awarded the DSO.

Name frequency

Using 1881 Census data there were 247 Raynhams and 26 Rainhams recorded in the census, with the Raynhams prominent in Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and Middlesex and the Rainhams in Kent and Lanarkshire. The 2004 Electoral Roll data notes 125 adults voters registered, primarily located in Essex, Derbyshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, London/Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Sussex.

Distribution of the name

 

Data

The Raynham Database has over 6000 records comprising of birth, marriage and death data from the GRO; with some exceptions the period covers 1837-2003. Parish Records covering the period prior to 1837, extensive census data as well as other numerous source material. The contribution from other independent researchers is gratefully noted and is acknowledged on the Raynham website.

Links

The Raynham website can be found at: www.raynham.org where messages and contributions can be left.

General Search Results

Occurrences of the surname Raynham in the Guild Indexes
(Click on the number to view the search results in each index. Indexes marked by * are only accessible by logged in Guild members.)
  • Global Marriages (public)  379
  • Global Marriages (members)* 380
  • Probate Index* 2
  • Datastores  2
  • Study materials for the study Raynham* 6

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