Surname Reese - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Historical and Cultural Roots: The Story of the Reese Surname Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Discovering my own historical and cultural roots through an iGENEA DNA test was an enlightening journey, painting a rich landscape that unveiled the profound story of the origin and history behind my surname, Reese. From warrior-imbued meanings to connections with Celtic lineage, the ancestral world became vividly real, underscoring the powerful narrative encapsulated in our names.

L. Reese

Reese: What does the surname Reese mean?

The surname Reese has Welsh origins and derives from the personal name "Rhys". Rhys is an old Welsh name meaning "ardor" or "fiery warrior". This name became popular in the Middle Ages in honor of the last ruler of an independent Wales, Rhys ap Tewdwr, before its conquest by the English. In the English-speaking world, the surname is usually spelled as Reese, although other variations like Reece and Rees also exist. Therefore, someone with the Reese surname could be assumed to have ancestry linked to this historic Welsh lineage.

Reese: Where does the name Reese come from?

The last name Reese is of English, Welsh or Scottish origin and means "fiery" as it is derived from the given name Rhys. The name is currently most common in the United States, where it ranks as the 71st most popular surname. In England, it is currently the 435th most popular last name, and is found mostly in the central and southern parts of the country, especially in Wales.

In the United States, the highest concentrations of the name Reese can be found in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In those states, the name is most common in small towns or rural areas. Outside of those places, the name is still common, but much less so.

The name Reese can also be found in Canada, where it is the 404th most popular surname, and is most commonly found in Ontario.

The name is generally Anglicised as 'Rees' in Welsh-speaking areas and is found as 'Rice' among Irish immigrants in America. The name has also been used as a form of the Franco-Germanic Regin which means 'ruler'.

Variations of the surname Reese

Reese is an ancient Welsh surname with Germanic and Old English roots. Its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include Rees, Rease, Reiss, Rhys, Rice, Reece, Reecey, Reecee, Reesey, Rhyses, Rhyce, Rhycey, Rysse, and Rhysse.

The origins of the Reese surname are believed to stem from the name Rhys, which is derived from the Welsh personal name ap Rhys, meaning "son of Rhys". This name was also prevalent in many parts of England, especially in counties such as Somerset, Devon, and Norfolk, so the surname would have taken a variety of spellings depending on the location it was found.

The spelling variants Rees and Rease are both the result of the Old English influence on the Welsh language, while Reiss is the German form of the same name. In the United States, this surname has also been found as Rice, and Reece, often due to the phonetic pronunciation of the Welsh spelling of the name.

Reese is one of the most common surnames in the United States, and it has been found in many different countries throughout Europe and beyond. It is likely that as this name once served as a way to honor an ancient Celtic god, its different variants may indicate a wide range of geographic origins.

Famous people with the name Reese

• Ryan Philippe Reese: American actor
• Johan Reese: German fashion designer
• Jennifer Reese: American food and lifestyle journalist
• Urbie Green: American jazz trombonist
• Dylan Reese: American retired professional ice hockey defenceman
• Tricia Leigh Fisher: American actress and singer
• Tyra Banks: American television personality, producer, businesswoman, actress, author, and former model
• Reese Witherspoon: American actress, producer and entrepreneur
• Brad Reese: American professional motocross and supercross racer
• Vicente Castro "Chente" Yñiguez: Mexican retired professional boxer
• Harry Reese: American football coach and former player
• Rita Mae Brown: American writer, activist and feminist
• Lucas Bowman Reese: American voice actor
• Chad Allen Reese: American professional wrestler
• Forrest Reese: American actor and film producer

Other surnames

ReesReeserReesonReesor