Surname Reams - Meaning and Origin

Reams: What does the surname Reams mean?

The surname Reams is of Old English origin, derived from the Middle English term "ream," which refers to a certain measurement of paper. It is believed to be an occupational name for someone who was involved in the paper industry, perhaps a parchment-maker, scribe, stationer, or bookbinder. The name suggests a historical link to the trade of paper goods, illustrating how surnames often denote occupation, place of origin, or an ancestor's personal characteristics. However, like many surnames, there are several possible interpretations for its etymology and geographic origin. The name is widespread, with individuals bearing the surname Reams found predominantly in the United States and England. It should be noted that the exact origin and original meaning of the Reams surname may not be definitively known, as the passage of time often obscures such historical details.

Reams: Where does the name Reams come from?

The last name Reams is most often seen in the United States today. It is a typical Anglo-Saxon surname and is sometimes spelled as Reemes or Rhymes. According to the United States census of 2000, the Reams surname was recorded 33,839 times, and ranked as the 1867th most common surname in the country.

The highest concentrations of Reams are in the southern states of North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. In North Carolina, Reams was ranked the 280th most common surname in the state. Georgia placed the Reams surname among its top 500 surnames, ranking at 420. Texas is home to 2,716 people with the Reams surname.

The rest of the Reams surname is scattered across the other 47 states. California had the second most amount of people with the surname, followed by Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas.

The Reams name can also be seen in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Although the prevalence varies due to immigration over the years, the Reams family name is still prominent in many countries today.

Variations of the surname Reams

The surname Reams is an English, Scottish, and Irish patronymic surname derived from the personal name “Ralph.” Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Reams include:

Ream, Reems, Reamss, Reames, Rayms, Reims, Rahms, Rims, Roeams, Rome, Room and Romey.

In England, the surname Reams is found mainly in Yorkshire, with smaller numbers found in other parts of the country. Scotland has a higher concentration of Reams families, clustered in the Central Lowlands and the Lothian county of Midlothian. Ireland’s Reams families are concentrated in Ulster and in the counties of Monaghan and Donegal.

Spelling variations of Reams include Reims, Reame, Raime, Rayme, Rayms, Ramos, Rahm and Rahmes. It also evolved into the surnames of Rome, Room, and Romey. This surname is also found in North America, which was made up predominantly by non-conformists (mostly dissenter Christians) from the British Isles.

The root of the surname Reams is “Ra” or “Rahl,” which comes from the medieval Germanic personal name “Rahlph,” and the Old English word “Reaf,” which meant “boundary.” Therefore, many early English surnames that evolved from this root had their origin in administrative roles in managing the boundary of a region – thus, giving the surname of Reams territorial meaning.

Famous people with the name Reams

• Chris Reams: former politician and attorney general of Mississippi.
• Melissa Reams: actress known for appearing in The Descent 2, Mildred Pierce, and Summerland.
• Rollin Reams: former mayor of Anniston, Alabama.
• Heaton Reams: professional American football player.
• Arvin Reams: retired US Marine Corps sergeant major.
• Gene Reams: American actor who appeared in such films as Showdown in Little Tokyo and Loaded Weapon 1.
• Jamie Reams: English television presenter and journalist.
• John Reams: former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Ron Reams: professional baseball player who played for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres.
• Ray Reams: professional wrestler and promoter who worked in the National Wrestling Alliance and Georgia Championship Wrestling.

Other surnames

ReamReamesReameyReamy