Contents [hide]

Reynolds History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Reynolds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Reynolds reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Reynolds family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Reynolds is based on the Norman given name Reginald or Regenweald, meaning brave councilor, which is an alteration of the Old French name Reinold. "Several tenants in chief in Domesday [Book] are called Rainaldus. Reynell, Reynard, Reynardson, Rennal." 1

"Its area of distribution is confined, for the most part, to the central part of England extending to the eastern counties between the Wash and the Thames. It is rare or absent in the south coast counties, excluding Cornwall, and excepting a scanty representation in Lancashire it does not occur north of a line drawn from the Humber to the Mersey. Shropshire, Norfolk, Wilts, and Cornwall are its principal homes." 2

Early Origins of the Reynolds family

The surname Reynolds was first found in Somerset where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Early records of the name mention Willemus filius Raunaldi who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Walter Reynolds (died 1327) was Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327), Lord High Treasurer and Lord Chancellor. 3

"The manor of Trebartha [in Cornwall] is said to have belonged to Walter Reynell, a knight of Gascony, so early as the reign of Richard I. at which time he was Castellan of Launceston." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Reynold, Cambridgeshire; Roger filius Reynald, Oxfordshire; and William filius Reynaud, Cambridgeshire. And the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Rainaldus filius Willelmi; and Ricardus Raynoldson. 5

Early History of the Reynolds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reynolds research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1194, 1198, 1313, 1327, 1544, 1549, 1588, 1589, 1594, 1599, 1607, 1612, 1624, 1625, 1636, 1655, 1657, 1663, 1676 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Reynolds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reynolds Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Reynolds are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Reynolds include Reynell, Reynolds, Reynold, Reynalds, Reynell, Renaud, Renaut, Renouf, Rennard, Renals, Rennell, Rennels and many more.

Early Notables of the Reynolds family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Walter Reynolds (d. 1327) the son of a Windsor baker, who became a favorite of King Edward II, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327); John Reynolds (c. 1588-c. 1655), an English merchant and writer fro...
John Reynolds or Rainolds (1549-1607), was English president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and dean of Lincoln, born at Pinhoe, near Exeter. William Reinolds (c. 1544-1594), was an English Roman...
Edward Reynolds (1599-1676), was English Bishop of Norwich; Sir Thomas Reynell (1589-1655), was an English politician who was a Member of Parliament for Morpeth in 1624
Sir John Reynolds (1625-1657), was a soldier in the English Civil War and during the Commonwealth, member of the Middle Temple, joined the parliamentary army, took part in the Cromwellian conquest of...

Reynolds World Ranking

In the United States, the name Reynolds is the 112^nd most popular surname with an estimated 193,986 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Reynolds is ranked the 340^th most popular surname with an estimated 13,395 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Reynolds is the 387^th popular surname with an estimated 121 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Reynolds as 122^nd with 22,036 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Reynolds as 174^th with 3,094 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Reynolds as 404^th with 16,107 people. 11

Migration of the Reynolds family to Ireland

Some of the Reynolds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reynolds migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Reynolds, or a variant listed above:

Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christopher Reynolds, who settled in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "John & Francis"
Robert Reynolds, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
Robert Reynolds, who settled in Salem in 1630 with Mary and his four children
Mrs. Mary Reynolds who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
Mr. Nathaniel Reynolds who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Darby Reynolds, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
Edward Reynolds, a convict sent to Annapolis, Maryland in 1719
Arnold Reynolds, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 13

Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Agnes Reynolds, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 13
Allen Reynolds, aged 45, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 13
David Reynolds, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 13
Darius Leverest Reynolds, who landed in Louisiana in 1833 13
Catherine Reynolds, aged 11, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Cyril Revell Reynolds, who landed in Colorado in 1901 13

Reynolds migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reynolds Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Benjamin Reynolds, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1761
Mr. James Reynolds U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 199 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 14
Mr. Jesse Reynolds U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 14
Mr. Joshua Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 14
Mr. Pine Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reynolds Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Benjamin, Caleb, and Thomas Reynolds were among the United Empire Loyalists who, who settled in Ontario, Canada following the American War of Independence
Christopher Reynolds, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1830
Robert Reynolds, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Margaret Reynolds, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Alice Dunphy Reynolds, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1835
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reynolds migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Reynolds Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Richard Reynolds, Cornish settler convicted in Bodmin, Cornwall, UK on 6th August 1787, sentenced for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" on 19th January 1790 to New South Wales, Australia 15

Reynolds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Esther Reynolds, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Reynolds, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. John Reynolds, British convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Frances Reynolds, (b. 1785), aged 35, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. Maurice Reynolds, (b. 1798), aged 22, Irish labourer who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reynolds migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Reynolds Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Jane Reynolds, aged 22, a dressmaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 20
Mr. Reynolds, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Jane" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 21
George Reynolds, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 22
Edward Reynolds, aged 32, a cabinet maker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "George Fyfe" in 1842
Harriet Reynolds, aged 28, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "George Fyfe" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Reynolds (post 1700) +

Frank James Reynolds (1923-1983), American television journalist for CBS and ABC News, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds (1936-2018), American Emmy Award, Golden Globe and People's Choice Award winning actor, director and voice artist, probably best known for his roles in the Smokey and the Bandit series, The Longest Yard and White Lightning
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA (1723-1792), English portrait painter from Plympton, Devon, first President of the Royal Academy
Richard Joshua "R. J." Reynolds (1850-1918), American businessman and founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Ryan Rodney Reynolds (b. 1976), Canadian Golden Globe Award nominated actor, film producer and screenwriter, best known for playing the Marvel character Deadpool, People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2010, co-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C.
Sheldon Maurice Reynolds (1959-2023), American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, a member of bands Sun, The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire
William de Clerq Reynolds (1931-2022), American actor, best known for his role as Special Agent Tom Colby in the 1960s television series The F.B.I
Mike Reynolds (1929-2022), American voice actor and writer, known as a voice actor on the original Power Rangers
Richard Clay Reynolds (1949-2022), American novelist, essayist, book critic and English professor from Quanah, Texas
Mr. Daniel Coulter Reynolds (b. 1987), born in Las Vegas, Nevada, known as "Dan" American singer, song writer and producer, lead singer for Imagine Dragons
... (Another 301 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Reynolds family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Jessey T Reynolds (1948-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Jamestown, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 23

Fraterville mine

Mr. Oscar Reynolds (d. 1902), "Charles", American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Mr. William Reynolds (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Mr. J. Frank Reynolds (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Mr. Andrew J. Reynolds (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24

HMS Hood

Mr. John A Reynolds (b. 1920), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Richmond, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. S Reynolds, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Roy Reynolds, British Boy 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 26
Mr. Jack Reynolds, British Sergeant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed aboard the HMS Stronghold 26
Mr. Clifford Benjamin Reynolds (1920-1942), Welsh Able Seaman from Wales, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. Albert Reynolds, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Donald Alexander Reynolds (1920-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. John Reynolds (b. 1856), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Patrick Reynolds, English Fireman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30

RMS Titanic

Mr. Harold J. Reynolds (d. 1912), aged 21, English Third Class passenger from London who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Montmagny 31

SS Atlantic

Richard Reynolds, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
Richard Reynolds, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Earl Arthur Reynolds, American Seaman Second Class from Colorado, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 32
Mr. Jack Franklyn Reynolds, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 32

The Reynolds Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Jus meum tuebor
Motto Translation: I will defend my right.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html