Surname Reames - Meaning and Origin
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Reames: What does the surname Reames mean?
The surname Reames is of English origin and is believed to have geographical roots as a locational surname derived from a place in Norfolk called "Reymerston". The Old English components of "hrim" (meaning "frost") and "mere" (meaning "lake") together largely influence its alleged meaning, which roughly translates to "the lake that freezes over". Other interpretations suggest that the surname could be derived from the medieval English personal name "Reme" or "Reme's settlement". Thus, the surname implies an association to these locations or a possibly descendant of Reme. It is also worth noting that the exact origin and meaning of surnames can be difficult to trace with complete accuracy due to the evolution of language and migration of peoples over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisReames: Where does the name Reames come from?
The last name Reames is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the South and Midwest regions. According to data from the US Census Bureau, the surname Reames can be found in over 18 states, with the most populous states being Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.
Reames is also found in other parts of the world, including Germany, England, and France. In Germany, Reames is a fairly uncommon booklet, while in England it’s a variant of the surname Ramsey. In France, the surname is sometimes found as Réam.
The surname Reames is derived from the Old French word ramés, meaning “reeds” or “reed strewn”. It is thought to have originally referred to someone who lived in an area near water. The name would have then been adapted to the different dialects of the countries in which it is found.
The surname Reames is also closely associated with the military. During the Civil War and World War II, many Reames family members served in the U.S. military. It was also the surname of two U.S. generals, John Reames and Joey Reames.
Overall, the surname Reames is still relatively common in the United States, though it’s not as widespread as it used to be. It is still found in many parts of the world, though, with some more regional varieties existing in different countries.
Variations of the surname Reames
The surname Reames has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the surname Reames is Ream. This variant is found across the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, a more uncommon variant is the spelling Reime, which is found mostly in Europe.
The surname Reames is believed to descend from the Norman personal name Reimund, from ragin, meaning counsel, and mund, meaning protector. This surname is therefore a patronymic that derives from ‘son of Reimund’. As such, there are several different surnames that are derived from the same origin, including: Ragem, Raymund, Rayman, Raimann, Raymane, Raymun, Remess, Rayme and Rémin.
Due to this variety, Reames is believed to be one of the oldest surnames in history, with records of the name dating back to the 12th Century. It has also been found that many descendants of the Reames surname have gone on to spell their name in different ways – with a range of spellings still in use today.
Famous people with the name Reames
- George Reames: A highly regarded American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Fellis Reames: An American novelist, short story writer, and poet.
- Rob Reames: An American actor known for his roles in the long-running TV series “Justified” and “NCIS: Los Angeles”.
- Jason Reames: An American martial arts expert, television presenter, and stuntperson.
- James Reames: A blues and Americana music artist hailing from Middle Tennessee.
- Ryan Reames: An American collegiate football player, playing the position of offensive tackle.
- Mark Reames: An American rock music guitar player and songwriter.
- Kyra Reames: A former professional bodybuilder and fitness model.
- Ken Reames: An American businessman, the founder and CEO of the investment firm Reames Securities.
- Laura Reames: A former model, working for Elite Model Management in Atlanta.