Origin of Reyes
There are several potential origins for this surname, recorded in this spelling in Spain, France and England. It is quite impossible to separate one from another, owing to the culture overlap in the past one thousand years. The most likely and popular explanation is that the name is a development of the original Roman (Latin) pre Christian 'rex' through the later 8th century a.d. Frankish-Norman 'rey' and meaning 'the king'. However if this was the case, then the name is either a nickname for a person who had a kingly manner, or more likely, one who played the part of a king in the many pageants and festivals which abounded in the 13th century.
The actual surname 'King' is one of the most popular of all Anglo-Saxons surnames. A second explanation for this surname is that it is topographical and describes a person who lived at a 'rea'. This was a piece of hard ground within a marsh, and the word seems to have been used throughout Northern Europe and Spain. Early examples of the surname recordings in California include Juana Reyes at Misson San Carlos, Moneterey, on December 27th 1786, Maria Dominguez Reyes at San Gabriel, Los Angeles, on January 16 1816, and the patriotically named America Ray, who married the equally patriotic Thomas Jefferson Bidwell, at Butte, California, on December 20th 1859. The coat of arms has the blazon of a blue field charged with three gold trefoils, and a red chief with a gold knights spur pierced. 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 the county of Oxford, England, during the reign of King Edward 1st, 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.
Hispanic and Filipino surname that could derive from a nickname linked to the feast of the Three Kings (Reyes Magos).
The origin of this lineage goes back to such a bygone era, that to refer it with some historical foundation, or at least with the help of famous historians, we have to rely, first of all, on what the famous Bishop of Ourense wrote , Don Servando, Confessor who was King Don Rodrigo, last of the Gothic monarchy, and Prince Don Pelayo.
The Bishop affirms, in his "Libro de Lineajes", that the surname Reyes comes from Clemente Reyes, a noble Knight of an illustrious family in Rome, who flourished in the 230s and was the father of Santa Clara Regina.
These are the data on the past origin of the first Knights of the surname Reyes, which contain ancient chronicles and stories; and from those stories it can be seen that his birth was Galician, Pedro Rodrigo Méndez Silva, in his "Genealogy of the Captain of Knights Breastplates don Luis García Reyes", affirmed that the primitive solar Reyes, settled in the Mountains of Burgos, and Miguel de Salazar, specify that information, telling us that he was located in Valle de Mena. This valley belongs to the judicial district of Villarcayo (Burgos).
Others name Gonzalo de Reyes, (reigning Gundamero, year 611), lord of the House of Bocirios on the road to Chantada (Lugo), father of García de Reyes who founded a manor house on the "Altamira" hill, as their father. near Noya (La Coruña), and as a son or grandson figure Gonzalo de Reyes, who served Don Pelayo with great courage.
When Alfonso II "El Casto" reigned, Nuño de Reyes stood out, one of the twelve knights of high blood chosen to form a brotherhood that, over time, became the Military Order of Santiago.
He proved his nobility in the Orders of Santiago (1765) and Calatrava (1700).
The surname Reyes. Its genealogy, origins, history, and meaning.
Discovering the historical origins of Reyes is an incredibly exciting journey that takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who built this lineage. Like most surnames, the history of the surname Reyes is a thorny and surprising journey into the past in order to find out the origin of the surname Reyes, which leads us to have more knowledge about those who bear the surname Reyes, their origin, their coat of arms, the bibliography in which it appears... It is possible to trace their genealogy and, in addition to the original places of Reyes, we know where it is possible to find people with the surname Reyes today.
View complete list of Reyes in the world
Reyes: historical chronicle
The history of Reyes is an interesting sequence of events that were protagonized by the people who have held the surname Reyes throughout history, and it is possible to trace this history back to the first bearers of the surname Reyes. Their feats, their way of life, the places they lived, their family relationships, the jobs they held... All of this is crucial for anyone who, like you, is interested in having more information about the historical, heraldic, coat of arms, and nobility of the surname Reyes. In the following lines, you can find everything we have been able to compile about the surname Reyes. However, if you have more information that you would like to share, we would greatly appreciate your contribution to expand the knowledge of people who, like you, are looking to increase their knowledge about the surname Reyes.
Unfortunately, we do not have any more historical information about Reyes than the one we have provided with pleasure. We invite those who visit us on this website to analyze the recommended bibliography and to come back often, since we often receive valuable collaborations from other people interested in the origin and history of surnames that could have information of special interest about the surname Reyes, and that we would update on this website as soon as possible (after a previous verification). Similarly, if you consider yourself one of those people, we urge you to support us and send us the information about Reyes that is available to you, thanking you in advance for your detail.
The most famous Reyes in history
There have probably been some significant Reyes throughout the history of humanity, even if, for some reason, not all of their contributions were included in the chronicles of the time or their data has not come down to the present day. Unfortunately, not all of the important contributions of people who have carried the surname Reyes were taken into account at the time by the chroniclers of the time. Although a surname has the ability to link a person to a famous lineage and a glorious coat of arms, it is individuals who, throughout their lives and by virtue of some outstanding or important achievements for the society in which they lived, give their surnames renown and it is possible to establish prominent lineages. For this reason, we want to highlight on this website those people with the surname Reyes who, for some reason, have left their mark on the course of history.
The surname Reyes and its bibliographic sources
Based on all the research we have been able to gather so far, we can say that there is information available about the history, genealogy, and heraldry of the surname Reyes thanks to bibliographic sources. This means that we can discover more about its original meaning, origin, history, coat of arms, and heraldry. Our recommendation is to consult the following sources if you want to conduct research on the surname Reyes, as well as many other surnames:
Bibliographic sources for Reyes
These sources are essential for taking a step forward in the study of Reyes, and of surnames in general.
