Reaman Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Reaman

What does the name Reaman mean?

The surname Reaman is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It is derived from Old English, and can be translated as "one who dwells on the low-lying land by the stream." Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of Raymond' 1 and in this case, it was "introduced at the Conquest, or soon after." 2

Early Origins of the Reaman family

The surname Reaman was first found in Sussex and along the east coast of England, where the ancestral home of the Reaman family is thought to be located. The earliest known bearer of the name was Robert Ryman, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. 3

Berry's Sussex Genealogies, lists Rayman, of Apledram as the main family holding estates in Sussex. Today Apledram (Appledram) is a small parish on the northeastern upper reach of Chichester Harbour about two miles south-west of the centre of Chichester in West Sussex. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 have two early spellings of the family, both listed in Cambridgeshire: Richard filius Reimund and Robert filius Reimund. 1

Kirby's Quest listed Philip Remond, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 5

Early History of the Reaman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reaman research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1359, 1377, 1580, 1620, 1650, 1729 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Reaman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reaman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rayman, Ryman, Raiman, Reaman, Reeman and others.

Early Notables of the Reaman family

Jacob Rayman (fl. 1620-1650), the earliest British violin maker. He is said to have been a Tyrolese by birth, and to have come to London in 1620. However, his work bears no trace of foreign influence, and he may have been connected with the Rayman family settled in...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reaman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reaman family to Ireland

Some of the Reaman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reaman family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Nicholas Ryman, who came to Virginia in 1639; Sarah Rayman, who immigrated to Maryland in 1659; Richd Rayman, who was granted land in Virginia in 1670.

Contemporary Notables of the name Reaman (post 1700) +

Joel Reaman (1840-1894), farmer, miller and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada
George Elmore Reaman (1889-1969), Canadian author and university professor

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.