Origin of the surname Ree

This is a surname with one of the most ancient origins. It derives from an Olde British word 'ea' pronounced 'ay' and describes someone who lived by a stream. More pragmatically it probably referred to somebody who lived on dry land by a stream, since before the days of land drainage to find 'dry land' was vital. It is true that some nameholders particularly those who originate in the Sussex - Kent region of England, may derive from the town of Rye, which means what it says - 'the place where corn was grown'.

In Early English the descriptive phrase was 'aet paere ea' (at the island) which by the Middle ages had become 'at ther ee', and thence was further shortened to 'atte rie' and hence the modern surname which can be found as Ray, Rea, Reay, Wrey, Raye, and even Nye, formerly 'atten ea'! Examples of early recordings include William atte Rea in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, William bith Ree in the 1293 rolls of Worcester, and John atte Reye in the Essex Rolls of 1327. The Coat of Arms granted in Northumberland has the blazon of a blue field, a plate between three silver crescents. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph de la Reye, which was dated 1279, in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as 'The hammer of the Scots', 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Ree. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname ree is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname ree, and in addition to the original locations of ree, we can find out where people with the surname ree can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of ree.

The surname Ree around the world

The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname ree provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname ree has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Ree

For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname ree, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of ree developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname ree are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname ree.

We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about ree and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname ree or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of ree.

Notable Figures Named Ree

Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname ree were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like ree can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname ree, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Ree and its bibliographic sources

The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of ree are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname ree, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of ree.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of ree, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Ree