Surname Rheams - Meaning and Origin
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Rheams: What does the surname Rheams mean?
The surname Rheams does not have a specifically defined meaning as it seems to originate from a personal name, rather than a trade, geographical location, or descriptive term like many other last names. It appears to be a rare and unique surname, making it difficult to attribute a precise lineage or origin. Although, it is believed to have been anglicized from Germanic roots, perhaps correlating with the surname "Ream" or "Reams", which derives from the Old English term "ream," meaning "cream" or "gentle". This might have been an occupational name given to a maker or seller of cream or possibly a nickname for someone with a creamy complexion. It's also possible that Rheams is a geographic name from the village of Ream in North Yorkshire. Given the diversity of last names and the many ways they can be altered (through region, language, etc), it's challenging to pinpoint the exact etymology or meaning. Any true representation of its origin would require detailed genealogy research or genetic analysis.
Order DNA origin analysisRheams: Where does the name Rheams come from?
The last name Rheams is most common today in Appalachia in the United States. This last name appears to have originated from West Virginia, where it was primarily associated with farming and timber.
The Rheams surname is also found in the Appalachians of North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, as well as in other scattered parts of the United States. The surname is also fairly well represented in the English-speaking territories of Canada, Jamaica, and Belize.
The Rheams surname is also associated with a particular family of mountain musicians, who traveled through the southern Appalachian Mountains playing old time and traditional music. It is possible that the name Rheams originally was derived from Rhymers, a term used to describe certain singing drummers or fiddlers.
In addition to Appalachia, the Rheams name can also be found in Australia, the UK, and other parts of Europe.
The Rheams surname also appears in various books and documents related to the history of Appalachia. For example, there is a book, “Our Rheams Ancestry”, which follows the history of the Rheams family from its beginnings in Virginia to its spread across the United States and into Canada.
Thus, while the Rheams surname can still be found in Appalachia today, it should be noted that it is also fairly common in other parts of the United States, as well as in Australia, the UK, and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Rheams
The Rheams surname is most commonly recorded in its variant spelling Rheem. However, there are a few other unique and oft-used variants and spellings of the surname that have roots in the same source. The Rheem spelling has a long history in Great Britain, with some Early Modern English records of the surname recorded as Rheame, Rheims, and Rheomes.
In the United States, the spelling evolved to rhyme with the similar-sounding names of Reed and Ream. Common variants and spellings of the surname in the United States include Rheem, Rehm, Ream, Reims, and Reems. Additionally, many immigrants to the United States with the surname Rheams Anglicized their name to Rym and Rime.
The Rheams surname is also related several other British surnames including the surnames Eatons, Haintons, and Leams. The Rheams surname has been recorded under dozens of different spellings over the centuries including Haintron, Haindeson, Aymeton, Emton, and Eatons.
Along with variants and spellings of the surname, Rheams is related to other surnames of similar origin. Many of these surnames derived from the same English phrase 'atte home', meaning 'at the house of'. Some of these surnames include Hone, Home, Hames, and AtKey. Other surnames with the same origin include Rayms, Harmes, Herdman, and Horn.
Famous people with the name Rheams
- Jerrod Rheams: He is a former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons. He played college football for the University of Arizona and was part of the Wildcats’ 1998 Holiday Bowl team that defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
- Gail Rheams: An American actress and producer, known for her appearances on TV shows such as Lincoln Heights, Bones, and Ray Donovan.
- Ralph Rheams: He is an actor and film director known for his roles on series such as Chasing Life and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, as well as for directing the 2017 film Without a Map.
- Brad Rheams: He is an American drummer known for his work in rock and blues bands such as The Kingsnakes and The Bad Blood Band.
- Don Julio Rheams: He is an American artist known for creating expressive portrait paintings that have been exhibited around the country, including at the Brooklyn Museum and the San Francisco Fine Art Museum.
- Heather Rheams: She is an accomplished violinist who has performed with symphonies and orchestras in the United States and abroad, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
- Herschel Rheams: He is a former NFL offensive lineman who used to play for the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots.
- Natina Rheams: She is a singer and actor best known for her roles on the TV series On Our Own and Providence.
- Scott Rheams: He is a country musician and songwriter known for his hit album “My Kind of Country".
- Brandi Rheams: She is an American ballet dancer who has performed with companies including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the San Francisco Ballet.