Reece Family Crest and Name History

Text Size

Reece PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname Reece

Reece

Contents

Reece history with Reece Family Crest
Reece Motto Translated
Suggested Readings for Reece

Surname Notables

About Family Crests

Reece Products

Origin Displayed: Welsh

Where did the Welsh Reece family come from? What is the Welsh coat of arms/family crest? When did the Reece family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The Origins of the Welsh name Reece go back to those ancient Celts known as the Britons that once occupied the hills and Moors of Wales. This old Welsh surname is from the Welsh personal name Rhys, which also took the forms Rice and Rees. This name was originally derived from the Old Welsh forename Ris, which means ardour.

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. At this time, there were no uniform spelling rules and because the general population was illiterate, they could not specify a particular rendition of their names. Therefore, scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Reece has occasionally been spelled Rees, Reece, Rhys, Ap Rhys and others.

First found in Carmarthenshire, where they held a family seat from very early times.

More

More about the Reece History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
Known spelling variations
Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
First settlers to North America
Notable contemporary bearers of the name
A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Reece: Henry Reece settled in Nevis in 1663; along with Jane; Richard Reece settled in New England in 1668; Barbara, Jacob, Mathew, Thomas and William Reece all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.

Motto Translated: The hope of a better age.

For more information on the last name Reece, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Suggested Readings for the name Reece

The Reeces of Worcester, Mass. by Louise Elise Jackson Wilder.

Some noteworthy people of the name Reece

Jimmy Reece (1929-1958), an American racecar driver
Gabrielle Allyse Reece (b. 1970), an American professional volleyball player
Jane B. Reece (b. 1944), an American scientist and textbook author
Christopher Reece (b. 1959), an American musician

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the Reece family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

More

Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

More

Family Crests: Elements

In the Reece coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

More

Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the Reece genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

More

Reece Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name Reece.

Apparel

Apparel emphasing the family crest for the name Reece.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name Reece.

Ceramics

Ceramics emphasing the Reece family crest.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name Reece.

Downloads

Downloads displaying the Reece family crest.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name Reece.

Family Tree

Family Tree displaying the Reece family crest.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques proudly displaying the Reece coat of arms.

Keychains

Keychains with a Reece coat of arms.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads emphasing the family crest for the name Reece.

New Products

New Products proudly displaying the Reece coat of arms.

Packages

Packages revealing the family crest for the surname Reece.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames proudly displaying the Reece coat of arms.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name Reece.

Symbolism

Symbolism showing the Reece family crest.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs with a Reece coat of arms.

Popular Products
	Armorial History With Coat of Arms
	Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
	Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
	Key-chain
	Coffee Mug
	Armorial History with Frame
	Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms

The Reece Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Reece Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.