This interesting surname is a patronymic name from the pet form of any of the various Germanic names with the first element being "ragin" counsel, e.g. Raymond. Raymond formerly "Raginmund" war introduced into England by the Normans and was a favourite in the times of the Crusades. it was also much used in Spain, where it was borne by two saints in the 13th Century. The pet form "Ray" is often used. The surname is first recorded in the mid 16th Century, (see below). Other early recordings of the surname from the London church registers include; John Raynes, who married Chrystyan Cressye, on August 13th 1551, at St. Margaret's, Westminster; Thomas, son of Thomas Raynes, was christened on August 13th 1562, at St. Peter-le-Poer; on September 29th 1564, James Raynes was christened at St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey; the marriage of Anny Raynes to Gulihelmus Hobbe, on January 14th 1565, at St. Peter-le-Poer; and Jane Raynes married Robart Johnson, on August 4th 1569, St. Stephen's, Coleman Street. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Annes Raynes, who married Allen Garner, which was dated August 8th 1547, St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street, during the reign of King Edward V1, "The Boy King", 1547 - 1553. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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