Find out how popular the last name Ream is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ream.

Ream, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ream surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ream in America

Ream is the 5588th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ream surname appeared 6,222 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Ream.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ream to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ream

The surname "REAM" has its origins in England, and it can be traced back to the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "ream," which means "cream" or "thick cream." It is likely that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who had a fair complexion or was a producer of dairy products.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "REAM" can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, where a person named William Reme is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that time period.

The name "REAM" is also mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1301, indicating its presence in different regions of England. Some records suggest that the name may have originated in the village of Ream, located in the county of Lincolnshire, lending credence to the theory that it could be a locational surname.

A notable bearer of the surname "REAM" was Sir John Ream (1558-1628), a member of the English gentry and a landowner in Lincolnshire. He served as a Justice of the Peace and was involved in local governance during the reign of King James I.

Another historical figure with the surname "REAM" was William Ream (1670-1745), a merchant and shipowner from the town of Hull in Yorkshire. He played a significant role in the maritime trade of his time and was known for his successful business ventures.

In the 18th century, the Ream family had a presence in the village of Haxey, Lincolnshire. Robert Ream (1721-1792) was a prominent farmer and landowner in the area, and his descendants continued to live in the region for several generations.

The surname "REAM" also appears in historical records from other parts of England, such as the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Gloucestershire, indicating its widespread distribution across the country.

Towards the end of the 16th century, some members of the Ream family migrated to the American colonies, contributing to the spread of the surname in the New World. One notable individual was John Ream (1784-1858), a farmer and politician from Ohio who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Throughout its history, the surname "REAM" has been associated with various occupations, including farming, trade, and public service, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its bearers across different regions and time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ream

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ream.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ream was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ream has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ream was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ream, please contact us.

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