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

Reaves, 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 Reaves surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Reaves in America

Reaves is the 2344th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Reaves surname appeared 15,550 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Reaves.

We can also compare 2010 data for Reaves 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 Reaves

The surname Reaves originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "refe," which means a bailiff or a land steward. The name likely referred to someone who held such a position or was associated with that occupation.

The surname Reaves can be traced back to various counties in England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire. It is often associated with the village of Reeves in Lincolnshire, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Reaves can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Reve." This ancient document was a survey of landholdings and tenants in England, providing valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Reve," "Reeve," and "Reven," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. The Reaves family was well-established in Derbyshire, where records show several members holding prominent positions in the local community.

John Reaves, born in 1510 in Yorkshire, was a notable figure in the English Reformation. He was a Protestant reformer and a close associate of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. Reaves played a significant role in translating and distributing religious texts during a time of great religious upheaval in England.

Another prominent individual with the surname Reaves was William Reaves, born in 1625 in Lincolnshire. He was a successful merchant and landowner, known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting local churches and educational institutions.

In the 18th century, Thomas Reaves, born in 1745 in Derbyshire, made a name for himself as a skilled engineer and inventor. He is credited with developing several innovative agricultural tools and machinery, contributing to the advancement of farming practices in England.

The Reaves family also had connections to the arts, with Elizabeth Reaves, born in 1780 in Yorkshire, being a renowned portrait painter. Her works were highly sought after by the aristocracy and are still displayed in various art galleries across England.

Benjamin Reaves, born in 1832 in Lincolnshire, was a celebrated explorer and naturalist. He embarked on several expeditions to remote regions of Africa and Asia, documenting the flora and fauna of these areas and contributing significantly to the field of natural history.

While the surname Reaves has its roots in England, it has since spread across the globe, with descendants of the early Reaves families found in various parts of the world. The name continues to carry a rich historical legacy, reflecting the diverse experiences and achievements of those who have borne it over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Reaves

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

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 Reaves 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 Reaves 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 Reaves was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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