Recorded in a wide variety of recordings including Raglass, Ragles, Ragless, and Raglus, this is almost certainly an English surname. Its origin and meaning are obscure, but it may either be locational or residential from a place where 'rag' grew, that was a form of moss. Alternatively it maybe a nickname similar to the surname 'Raggett', and as such describing a rough neck, one of unkept appearance! This is from the Norse-Viking pre 8th century word 'roggvaor'. If locational there is no such place today existing in anything like the surname spellings. This is in itself is not wholly uncommon, some five thousand British surnames are believed to derive from 'lost' places, of which the only reminder in the 20th century is the surname. These are often in many varied forms, and some far removed from the original spelling, where that is known. In this case early examples of the surname recording taken from surviving registers of the diocese of Greater London include: Samuel Ragles, who married Rebecca Hales at St Andrews Holborn, on June 5th 1702, William Ragless, who married Susannah Barnes at Christ Church, Spitalfields, on January 19th 1806, and John Raglass, who married Mary Worrom at St James Westminster, on August 12th 1829.

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