Surname Reeves - Meaning and Origin

Reeves: What does the surname Reeves mean?

The surname Reeves is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English term "reeve" which was an occupational title. In medieval England, a reeve was a high-ranking official or overseer who was appointed by the king or a lord to be responsible for specific duties, such as managing estates, presiding over courts, ensuring law and order, or collecting rents. It is therefore likely that the surname was initially used to refer to someone who held this job. Over the years, as the use of occupational surnames became more prevalent, the name would also have been adopted by people who were descendants of a reeve or who lived in a location that was associated with a reeve. So, the last name Reeves generally signifies a position of authority, responsibility, and trust.

Reeves: Where does the name Reeves come from?

The last name Reeves is relatively common within the United States, particularly in the South. According to data from the U.S. census, there are currently over 60,000 people nationwide with the last name Reeves.

In terms of region, the states with the highest number of people with the last name Reeves are Georgia and North Carolina. Each state has a population of over 8,000 people with this name. Tennessee, Mississippi, and South Carolina also have relatively high populations of people with the last name Reeves, each claiming a population of over 6,000. Additionally, other southern states, such as Alabama, Virginia, and Florida, all have over 4,000 people with the last name Reeves.

Outside of Southern states, the states with the largest populations of people with the last name Reeves are Texas, Kentucky, and Michigan, each claiming a population of over 2,000 people. Other states with sizable Reeves populations include Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, all possessing populations between 1,000-2,000 people.

Nationally, the last name Reeves is one of the 10,000 most popular last names in the United States. It ranks #7,125 in terms of its popularity and is far more common than some other last names such as Boyer (#18,345) or Fahl (#14,852).

Variations of the surname Reeves

The surname Reeves is of Old French origin, derived from the Latin “Rauf”, meaning “red”, and it is thought to have been first brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century.

Variants of the surname Reeves include Rives, Reves, Reaves, Reeve, Rhees, Ree, and Reece. Spellings of the name can vary from Reeves, Rooves, Reeve, Reave, Rives, Reeves, Reaves and Reeves, and even Reavis.

Variants of Reeves may also come from different countries or communities, such as the Welsh name Rees from Wales, and the Irish name Riabhach (or Reavey), also derived from Latin.

Other spelling variations include Reep, Rees, Reiss, Reuss, Reave, Rave, Reavey, Ruef, Ruff, Roose, Rush, and Russell. All of these variations likely stemmed from a common ancestor.

There are also similar surnames with the same ‘Reeves’ spelling. These include Reeve, Reaves, Reavess, Reevess, Reves and Reevy.

Different cultures may have altered the spelling of the name. For example, in India, where English pronunciation was difficult, the name became “Reaves”, and in Germany, because of German vowel shifting, the name became “Reuss” or “Roos”.

The variations of the “Reeves” surname are numerous and vary from country to country. Some variations may be more common in one region while others are more likely to be found in a specific country. Ultimately, when it comes to attempting to trace the origins of a particular Reeves line, it’s important to consider all of the potential surnames and spellings.

Famous people with the name Reeves

• Keanu Reeves: One of the most popular actors of all time, Keanu Reeves has starred in a wide range of films, from action (The Matrix, Speed) to romantic comedies (Something's Gotta Give) to horror (Constantine).
• Katherine Reeves: Well known for her roles on the hit CBS television show The Mentalist and her appearances in several Hallmark Channel Original Movies, Katherine Reeves is an established actress.
• Michael Reeves: Model and actor Michael Reeves has been featured on the small screen in shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Grey's Anatomy.
• Tony Reeves: Tony Reeves is an English musician and writer who has been a part of the rock band Procol Harum and the jazz band Nikolaz.
• George Reeves:George Reeves was an actor best known for his portrayal of Superman in the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman.
• B. Reeves Eason: B. Reeves Eason was a prolific film director and cinematographer who worked in both the silent and sound eras.
• Laurence Fishburne III: Laurence Fishburne III is an American actor, producer, writer, and director who has starred in The Matrix and Boyz n the Hood, amongst other films.
• Michael Reeves: Michael Reeves was an English film director known for his horror films Witchfinder General and The Sorcerers.
• Johnathon Reeves: Johnathon Reeves is an actor and comedian who has had recurring roles on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Big Bang Theory.
• Jay Reeves: Jay Reeves is an up-and-coming actor who has starred in shows like Atlanta and Vice Principals.

Other surnames

Reeve