Rake is an English surname with toponymic origins, describing a person who lived near a narrow pass or steep hillside. The name derives from the Old English word hrace, meaning "throat" or "gorge," referencing a geological feature such as a ravine or mountain pass. This type of surname, based on a dweller's location, was common in medieval England as a way to distinguish individuals by their residence.The surname Rake also has a strong geographic connection to two notable places. The first is Rake, a village in Rogate parish, West Sussex, England, located near the Hampshire border. The second is Rake, a small town in Winnebago County, Iowa, United States, which was named after a pioneer settler with the surname Rake.DistributionAccording to the 2010 United States Census, Rake is the 16,265th most common surname in the United States, with 1,773 bearers. The name is most prevalent among White individuals (90.75% of bearers). In the United Kingdom, the name is less common but still recognized, particularly in areas near the Sussex village.VariantsA variant spelling is Rakes, which appears in historical records and may have arisen from regional pronunciation or clerical errors.