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?

Many variations of the name Reynolds have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Mac Raghnaill, which means son of Raghnal. Raghnal is a personal name equivalent to Randal or Reginald.

Early Origins of the Reynolds family

The surname Reynolds was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Reynolds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reynolds research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1657, 1717 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Reynolds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reynolds Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Reynolds can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include McRannell, McReynolds, Reynolds, Grannell, Magranill, MacGrannell, MacRaghnald, MacRanel, McRanel, MacRannal, MacRannel, MacRanell, MacRanall and many more.

Early Notables of the Reynolds family

  • James Reynolds, Chief of the Clann whose diaries contributed greatly to Irish history
  • Sir John Reynolds (1625-1657), a soldier in the English Civil War
  • James Reynolds, Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds, 1717-1725

Reynolds World Ranking

the United States, the name Reynolds is the 112nd most popular surname with an estimated 193,986 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Reynolds is ranked the 340th most popular surname with an estimated 13,395 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Reynolds is the 387th popular surname with an estimated 121 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Reynolds as 122nd with 22,036 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Reynolds as 174th with 3,094 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Reynolds as 404th with 16,107 people. 6

Reynolds migration to the United States +

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Reynolds family came to North America quite early:

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 9
  • Mr. Nathaniel Reynolds who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
  • ... (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 10
  • Edward Reynolds, a convict sent to Annapolis, Maryland in 1719
  • Arnold Reynolds, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 10
Reynolds Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Agnes Reynolds, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
  • Allen Reynolds, aged 45, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 10
  • David Reynolds, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 10
  • Darius Leverest Reynolds, who landed in Louisiana in 1833 10
  • Catherine Reynolds, aged 11, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 10
  • ... (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 10

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 11
  • Mr. Jesse Reynolds U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
  • Mr. Joshua Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 11
  • Mr. Pine Reynolds U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 11
  • ... (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 7
  • 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 8
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 9
  • 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 9
  • 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 9
  • 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 9
  • 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 9
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 17
  • George Reynolds, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 18
  • Mr. Reynolds, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Jane" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 19
  • 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 20
  • 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 21
  • 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 22
  • 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 22
  • 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 22
  • ... (Another 21 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. 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)
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  9. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. 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)
  11. 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
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  15. 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
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. 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
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  21. 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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