Surname Reeve - Meaning and Origin

The Transformative Power of My iGENEA DNA Test and the Meaning of Reeve

My journey with the iGENEA DNA test has gifted a remarkable insight into my ancestral lineage, prompting a vast reevaluation of personal identity and heritage. Coupled with unlocking the meaning of my surname, Reeve, it provides an understanding of the past that carries profound implications for the present.

H. Reeve

Reeve: What does the surname Reeve mean?

The last name Reeve has English origins and is derived from the Middle English term 'reeve' that was used to denote a high-ranking official or steward of a settlement or estate. This position was often appointed by the king in medieval England. The reeve was responsible for managing the king's estates and carrying out administrative and judicial tasks. So, individuals with the surname 'Reeve' might have been descendants of a person who held this position, and the name could highlight their ancestor's status and occupation. Therefore, it is classified as an occupational surname. The surname is primarily prevalent in English-speaking countries. The name is perhaps best recognized due to the late actor Christopher Reeve, famous for his portrayal of Superman in the 1970s and 80s films.

Reeve: Where does the name Reeve come from?

Reeve is an English surname derived from an occupational surname for a royal official, essentially meaning “bailiff”. The surname is derived from the Old English word ‘gerefa’, meaning “reeve”, which also became the title of a certain local official whose position was analogous to a mayor or sheriff.

Today, the last name Reeve is mostly found in the English-speaking world, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Variations of the name include Rev, Reeves, Reev, Reive, Reaves, Reavis, Reevis, and Reives.

In the United States, the Reeve surname is more widespread in the southern states particularly in Missouri and Texas. It is also found in concentrations in parts of Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

In the United Kingdom, the Reeve surname is much more widespread. It is especially popular in the East of England, particularly in the counties of Essex, category Lincolnshire, and northern Norfolk.

Overall, the Reeve surname is a fairly widespread name today, but with more pronounced roots in the English-speaking world and in locations such as the United Kingdom, southern states of the United States, particularly Missouri and Texas, and the East of England.

Variations of the surname Reeve

The surname Reeve is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word rāf, meaning 'keeper of an estate' or a low-ranking lawman. Its variants can include: Reeves, Reaves, Rives, Rievs, Reevs.

Variations in spelling of the name have occurred over time, a result of the known variations when translating Old English to Middle English and in the amount of phonetic spelling even more commonly seen in earlier records.

Many branches of the Reeve family have multiple spellings or variants of the name including the Reeve, Reeves, Reave, Reaves, and Reves, Reevs, Rivs, Revs or Ryves families, as well as Le Reeve or del Reeve.

Other variations of the name which have been used over the years may include de la Reeve, lev Reyve, and leeryef.

Surnames related to the Reeve name include the Welsh versions Rees and Rhys, and the Scottish versions Reave and Reives, Roebuck, the Cornish version Reubuck and the Irish version Reevey.

In addition to these related names, the Reeve surname has been found in many spelling variations, including Reaves, Rav, Reave, Revs, Reves, Rievs and Rives.

The Reeve family name is one of the oldest in Europe, with recording of the name belonging to Roeward or Reverda dating back to 1140 in the Magna Carta. It is an ancient name dating back to 7th-century Britain.

Famous people with the name Reeve

• Christopher Reeve (1952: 2004): American actor best known for his portrayal of Superman in four films from the late 1970s and early 1980s
• Diane Reeve (née Garrison) (1948-2012): wife of Christopher Reeve and founder of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
• Dana Reeve (1961-2006): American actress, singer, and philanthropist, best known for her role as Superman's wife, Lois Lane.
• Jeffery Douglas Reeve (1947–2017): Father of Christopher Reeve and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Rutgers University
• Jonathan Reeve (born 1959): British actor, director, and producer
• Matilda Reeve (born 1949): American photographer, composer, and singer
• Michael Reeve (born 1972): Canadian producer, editor, and director
• Peter Reeve (1930–1987): English actor
• Kate Reeve (born 1990): British fashion designer
• Bill Reeve (born 1965): American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director

Other surnames

Reeves