Show ContentsReynolds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Reynolds Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Reynolds

What does the name Reynolds mean?

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

  • 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

the United States, the name Reynolds is the 112nd most popular surname with an estimated 193,986 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Reynolds is ranked the 340th most popular surname with an estimated 13,395 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Reynolds is the 387th popular surname with an estimated 121 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Reynolds as 122nd with 22,036 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Reynolds as 174th with 3,094 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Reynolds as 404th 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 14
  • Mr. Nathaniel Reynolds who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 14
  • ... (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 15
  • Edward Reynolds, a convict sent to Annapolis, Maryland in 1719
  • Arnold Reynolds, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 15
Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Agnes Reynolds, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 15
  • Allen Reynolds, aged 45, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 15
  • David Reynolds, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 15
  • Darius Leverest Reynolds, who landed in Louisiana in 1833 15
  • Catherine Reynolds, aged 11, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 15
  • ... (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 15

Reynolds migration to Canada +

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 16
  • Mr. Jesse Reynolds U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 16
  • Mr. Joshua Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 16
  • Mr. Pine Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 16
  • ... (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 included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • 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 12
  • Mr. Thomas Reynolds, (b. 1769), aged 20, British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Reynolds, (1767 - 1830), aged 23, British millwright convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing lead, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. James Reynolds, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for sealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Richard Beale Reynolds, (1769 - 1837), aged 21, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing lead, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Stephen Reynolds, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. William Reynolds, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Third Fleet
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Reynolds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

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 22
  • George Reynolds, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 23
  • Mr. Reynolds, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Jane" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 24
  • 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.
  • Tommie D. Reynolds (1941-2025), American Major League Baseball outfielder, played for the New York Mets (1967), Oakland Athletics (1969), California Angels (1970-1971), and Milwaukee Brewers (1972)
  • 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
  • ... (Another 303 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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 25
  • 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 26
  • 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 27
  • 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 27
  • 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 27
  • ... (Another 21 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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.

Suggested Readings for the name Reynolds +

  • The Gilded Leaf: Triumphs, Tragedy, And Tobacco: Three Generations of the R.J. Reynolds Family and Fortune by Patrick Reynolds.
  • Lamshead Before Interwoven: a Texas Range Chronicle, 1848-1878 by France Mayhugh Holden.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. 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)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. 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)
  16. 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
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. 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
  24. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  25. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  26. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm

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