Surname Reavis - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reavis: What does the surname Reavis mean?
The surname Reavis is of ancient Norman origin that originated in the region of Rievaulx in Normandy, France. The name is classified as being of locational origin, meaning it often was acquired by individuals who once resided in, or hailed from this certain locality. The name was originally spelled "Rievaulx", later anglicized to "Reavis" upon the family's relocation to England due to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Hence, people carrying the Reavis surname can potentially trace their ancestry back to this Norman French origin. It is worth noting that surnames often changed over centuries due to a variety of reasons including social, cultural, and linguistic evolutions. Therefore, variations of this surname exist and have formed distinct lines of family descent.
Order DNA origin analysisReavis: Where does the name Reavis come from?
The last name Reavis is most common in the United States, particularly in the states of Arkansas, Florida, New Mexico, and West Virginia. The surname can also be found in parts of Europe, primarily Germany, France, and Ireland.
The name Reavis is of English origin and origins from Old French. It first appeared in England in the 18th century, likely from the medieval French surnames Reville and Reaville, which were occupational names. Reavis is derived from the French words for ‘working’ and ‘field’, giving the meaning of one who works in a field.
Today, the surname Reavis is relatively uncommon but still found in many parts of the world. According to records, the surname Reavis is most populous in the United States, where it ranks at number 42,926 in popularity. Around 649,000 Americans have the surname Reavis. In England, the surname is not quite as popular, falling at number 94,546 in popularity and with roughly 1,172 people in England bearing this name.
The surname Reavis can also be found in other parts of the world, though not quite as common in frequency as the United States and the United Kingdom. It can be found in small numbers throughout Canada, Mexico, India, Germany, France, and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Reavis
The surname Reavis is of English origin and is derived from the Old English name Rēaf, a nickname for a person with red-colored hair or skin. It is thought to have originated in a place called Raye, located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Alternate spellings and variants include Radvvey, Reeve, Reve, Reaves, Reiss, Rave, and Ravey. The surname Reavis is also found in Ireland, where it is thought to have originated from the original Gaelic name Reamhadh, meaning “red-haired one”.
In the United States, Reavis is a very common surname, primarily concentrated in the southeastern region of the country. Other Americanized surnames derived from Reavis include Raeburn, Reiff, and Rayburn. In Germany, Reavis could also be spelled Reiffs. In France, the surname Reavis is usually spelled as Ravel, Rewez, Reveault, or Reval.
The Reavis name is also found in Scotland, where it is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic name Mac Raibeirt, meaning “son of Robert”. Other Scottish surnames related to Reavis include MacGreavy, Ravey, Ravie, and Reevie.
Reavis is an ancient surname that has many spellings and variations around the world. It is a name that is steeped in history and meaning, and a source of pride for its many descendants.
Famous people with the name Reavis
- Jack Reavis: songwriter, producer, and publisher known for writing and producing hit country songs such as “One More Chance of Love” and “Never Too Late To Find Love”.
- Gary Reavis: four-time Olympic snowboarder, winning gold in 1994.
- Tia Reavis: four-time All-American runner and Olympic sprinter, who represented the US in the 2000 Olympics.
- Chris Reavis: bassist for blues-rock group, Blackberry Smoke, since 2004.
- Chad Reavis: professional photographer and social media influencer.
- Michael Reavis: professional football player in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers from 1995 to 2006.
- Barry Reavis: former Comptroller General of the United States from 2002 to 2008.
- Tony Reavis: former United States Air Force Four Star General who served as Major General from 2000 to 2008.
- Thomas Reavis: renowned Virginia lawyer and husband of Reality TV star Scoey O’Donnell.
- Andrew Reavis: high school basketball standout turned professional player, playing in Europe from 2009 to 2015.