Surname Reece - Meaning and Origin

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Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, I got an iGENEA DNA test that unfolded unexpected surprises about my lineage and the history embedded in my surname, Reece. The results of the DNA test went beyond the usual, revealing an intricate tapestry of diverse roots and altering my understanding of my identity.

E. Reece

Reece: What does the surname Reece mean?

The surname Reece originates from Wales and is derived from the Welsh personal name Rhys. Rhys means ‘ardour’ or ‘enthusiasm’ in Welsh. The use of Reece as a surname dates back to the Middle Ages and is thought to be patronymic, hence, originally denoted the son of Rhys. It gained popularity as a surname and later as a given name. Variations of the spelling include Reese, Rees, and Rhys. Notable people with this surname include the British actor John Rhys-Davies, and former Welsh rugby union player Robert Howley, whose full name is Robert Norman Rees Howley. The surname is widespread across Wales and England. As a given name, Reece is used in English-speaking countries worldwide.

Reece: Where does the name Reece come from?

The last name Reece is most prevalent today in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. In America, the name is quite common in the southern states, particularly Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. It is also found in the midwest states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. In the United Kingdom, Reece is most common in Wales and appears throughout England and Scotland. In Australia, the family name is particularly common in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia.

In America, the Reece family often traces its ancestry back to Wales, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The name may have derived from the Welsh name Rhys, which is still popular today in Wales. In Ireland, the Reece surname may come from the Old Norse name 'Riksi', which means 'strong ruler'. Historical records suggest that some variations of the Reece family name first appear in North Germany, where it was anglicized to Reese.

The Reeves family is also present in Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and other countries around the world. The surname mainly comes from the Old Germanic name 'Raginso', which means 'wise'. It is also found in India, where it has been adapted as Rish or Ricse.

Today, the Reece surname is one of the most widely spread last names in the English-speaking world, with more than 140,000 people across the globe. It is still most common in the United States and the United Kingdom, but is also seen in Australia, Germany, Canada, Ireland, and other countries.

Variations of the surname Reece

The surname Reece has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname Reece include Rees, Reece, Reese, Rease, Reiss, Reiss, Rea, and Reece.

The spelling of Reece suggests Welsh origin and one of the oldest recorded variants can be found in 12th century documents in which Rys is mentioned as a witness. It is a patronymic form, derived from an old personal name, and formed as a patronymic calling Reece the son of Rhys.

The original Welsh patronymic is sometimes loosely Anglicised as Reiss or Rees due to its phonetic similarity, and this variant is most frequent in the south-western parts of Wales. Both variants are common in the US, especially in states where Welsh immigrants traditionally settled.

In Scotland, the spelling variation of Reese could be found and is believed to be of Celtic origin.

The form of Rea is also believed to be derived from the same root word as Reece and it is more common in Northern Ireland.

The spellings Reece and Rees are both common in England and Wales, and both variants are recorded in the modern UK census data as being among the top 30 names.

In conclusion, Reece has various variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Rees, Reese, Rease, Reiss, Rea, and Reece. All of these variants are believed to be derived from the same root word and can be found in different parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Reece

• Melissa Reece: American actress, best known for her action films.
• Tiahleigh Palmer: Australian murder victim with the last name Reece.
• Lord Rees: British cosmologist, one of the most respected and well-known modern astrophysicists.
• Evelyn Reece: professional tennis player from the United States.
• Brooke Reece: American model and social media star.
• Rachel Reece: Australian basketball player.
• Cilla Reece: British singer/songwriter known for her pop-style love songs.
• Jay Reece: Jamaican-American DJ, producer, and musician.
• Richard Reece: American actor who has starred in many fantasy/action films.
• Alicia Reece: American politician from Ohio, serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Other surnames

ReeckReeckeReeckersReeckmann