Show ContentsReekie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Reekie family

The surname Reekie was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland. But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts. Allegiances were important to Scottish middle age survival. They held a family seat at the lands of Reikie near Alford in Aberdeen. [1]

The following entry is most interesting: "a person of this name in a letter to the "Weekly Scotsman" of Edinburgh some years ago said that in his family Bible under 1731 this name is spelled Rikie; and he adds that he had access to records as far back as 1460 in which the name is spelled Riki and Rikie." [2]

Early History of the Reekie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reekie research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1552, 1567 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Reekie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reekie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reekie, Reikie, Rikie, Reky and others.

Early Notables of the Reekie family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

  • the Reekie family of Angus


United States Reekie migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reekie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Reekie, who settled in Philadelphia in 1808
  • Alexander Reekie, who settled in Detroit in 1861
  • Wm. Reekie, aged 60, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
  • Elizbth. J. Reekie, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1893
Reekie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Alexander D. Reekie, aged 26, who settled in America from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, in 1911
  • Nettie Reekie, aged 21, who settled in America from Perth, Scotland, in 1913
  • Thomas A. Reekie, aged 32, who landed in America, in 1919
  • William Sydney Reekie, aged 32, who settled in America from London, England, in 1920
  • Agnes McG. Reekie, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from Dundee, Scotland, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Reekie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reekie Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • George Reekie, who settled in Ontario in 1848
  • John Reekie, who arrived in Ontario in 1848

Contemporary Notables of the name Reekie (post 1700) +

  • Jemma Reekie (b. 1998), Scottish middle-distance runner who competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
  • Joseph "Joe" James Reekie (b. 1965), retired Canadian NHL ice hockey player
  • David Reekie (b. 1947), English Glass Sculptor whose works can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh


The Reekie 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: Reviresco
Motto Translation: I flourish again.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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