Reis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Germany

The origin of the proud surname Reis can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. In the Middle Ages, many of the Bohemians were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travel became more prevalent, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Reis family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig,"and the surname was an occupational name for a wood carver.

Early Origins of the Reis family

The surname Reis was first found in Bohemia, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. They later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Chronicles first mention Clesse Reysse of Mainz in 1444, and Leonhart Reiser of Nuremberg in 1443. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig." Reisser could also refer to a wood carver.

Early History of the Reis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reis research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1606, 1645, 1870, 1897 and 1940 are included under the topic Early Reis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reis Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reis, Reisle (Bavaria, Swabia), Reiss, Reisse, Riess, Ries, Reise, Reisz, Reiser, Reisser, Riser, Reysse, Reys, Reyss, Rice, Ris, Risse, Rise, Risle and many more.

Early Notables of the Reis family

During this early period, notable bearers of the name Reis included

Albert Reiss (1870-1940), a German tenor who was originally an actor until Pollini discovered his great singing talent in 1897...

Reis Ranking

In the United States, the name Reis is the 3,304^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Reis is ranked the 8,188^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2

Reis migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Reis went to Philadelphia in 1737
Johan Hend Reis, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
Margaret Reis, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 3
Conradt Reis, aged 43, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748 3

Reis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Reis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1804 3
Frans Frederich Reis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1804 3
Frederick Reis, aged 10, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 3
Henry Reis, aged 12, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 3
Lowe Reis, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Adolf Reis, who landed in America in 1905 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Reis (post 1700) +

Chris Reis (b. 1983), American football safety
Ronald Allen "Ron" Reis (b. 1970), American professional wrestler
Irving Reis (1906-1953), American radio program producer & director, and a film director
Matt Reis (b. 1975), American soccer player
Ronni Reis (b. 1966), American tennis player
Horace S. Reis, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1916 4
David Reis, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for South Dakota State House of Representatives 21st District, 2010 4
Alvin C. Reis (d. 1956), American politician, Circuit Judge in Wisconsin 9th Circuit, 1954-56; Died in office 1956 4
Johann Philipp Reis (1834-1874), self-taught German scientist and inventor
Thomas Reis (b. 1973), retired German footballer
... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Reis family +

Bismarck

Wilhelm Reis (1908-1941), German Oberfunkmeister who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details