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Research in Other Countries => Other Countries => Topic started by: Shakes on Tuesday 23 September 25 04:33 BST (UK)

Title: Jamaica - history of the Shakes surname
Post by: Shakes on Tuesday 23 September 25 04:33 BST (UK)

Hello,

I have been researching the “Shakes” surname and have hit a road block. I suspect a connection between “Shakes” and “Shakespear” but I am looking for a strong link. Family is little help.

The earliest record I’ve found is the burial of Thomas Shakes in 1845. He is listed as a “slaver”, but I can’t find information on his mother and father.

This surname is most common in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica where the Shakespears owned estates: So I suspect “Shakes” to be an illegitimate line. But since Thomas is listed as a slaver, I wonder how that came to be. Were illegitimates allowed to own slaves?

Any ideas where to look beyond findmypast/ancestry/familysearch? I’ve checked these places. It isn’t a common surname.

Title: Re: Jamaica - history of the Shakes surname
Post by: Neale1961 on Thursday 25 September 25 02:40 BST (UK)

Have you seen this site?
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~shakespeare/genealogy/pedigrees/overseas/afro_caribbean/afro_caribbean.htm

Title: Re: Jamaica - history of the Shakes surname
Post by: Shakes on Thursday 25 September 25 05:28 BST (UK)

Yes, I’ve seen that one as well. But no mention of the Shakespear surname becoming “Shakes”.

I could just accept that “Shakes” was a variation adopted by slaves, but it appears as the name of a slaver and before slavery was abolished so I suspect there is more to it than that.

Thanks for the reply!