| ![Show Contents]() Reasor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Reasor surname comes from the Middle English, Old French word "raison," meaning "the power of reason;" as such it was most likely originally a nickname for an intelligent person. Early Origins of the Reasor familyThe surname Reasor was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat at Market, Middle and West Rasen which were held by Bishop Odo of Bayeux. The under tenant holding from the Bishop was Alfred of Lincoln, a Norman noble and, conjecturally, the Reason family are descended from him. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1202 when Robert de Rasene held estates in Lincolnshire. Early History of the Reasor familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reasor research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Reasor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Reasor Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Reasor were recorded, including Reason, Rasen, Rason, Rayson, Reson, Reasons, Resons, Reeson, Resen, Resun, Raysun, Rasne and many more. Early Notables of the Reasor familyMore information is included under the topic Early Reasor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Reasor RankingIn the United States, the name Reasor is the 16,763rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Reasor familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Reasor arrived in North America very early: Ralph Reason, who came to St. Christopher in 1635; James Reason, who arrived in Bermuda 1635; Henry Reason, who came to Virginia in 1635; Barbarie Reason, who arrived in Barbados in 1635.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Reasor (post 1700) | + |
- Larry Reasor, American founder of Reasor Llc, an employee-owned, regional grocery store chain based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1963
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England
Germany
Wales
