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

Reel, 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 Reel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Reel in America

Reel is the 6399th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Reel surname appeared 5,316 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 Reel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Reel 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 Reel

The surname REEL originated in England, first appearing in records during the late 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "regol" meaning "a reel or roller for winding thread or yarn." The name likely referred to someone who worked with reels or rollers, perhaps in the textile industry or a related trade.

One of the earliest known records of the name is in the Feet of Fines, a legal document from 1292, which mentions a Robert le Reel in Oxfordshire. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contains a reference to a Henry le Reel in Norfolk. These early spellings, with the "le" prefix, indicate the name's occupational origins.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, including Reel, Reele, and Reelle. The Chancery Rolls of 1392 list a John Reel from Cambridgeshire, while the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 record a William Rele in Derbyshire. These variations in spelling were common during this period, as standardized spelling was not yet established.

The surname can also be traced to place names, such as Reel near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, or Reel in Staffordshire. The connection between the occupational and geographic origins of the name is not entirely clear, but it is possible that individuals took on the surname after migrating from these locations.

Notable individuals with the surname REEL throughout history include:

1. Sir Nathaniel Reel (1602-1678), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Taunton during the Commonwealth period.
2. John Reel (1688-1757), an English clergyman and author of several theological works, including "A Treatise on the Sacraments."
3. Elizabeth Reel (1793-1864), an American pioneer and one of the first settlers in the Oregon Territory, known for her memoir detailing the journey along the Oregon Trail.
4. William Reel (1818-1892), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.
5. Henry Reel (1861-1938), an American architect and designer of numerous buildings in New York City, including the iconic Plaza Hotel.

While the surname REEL may not be as common as some others, its history can be traced back to medieval England, where it emerged as an occupational name in the textile industry or related trades. Over the centuries, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, clergymen, pioneers, and architects.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Reel

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

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

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

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