Last Name Reynes

The surname Reynes (or Reynes) is of French origin. It comes from the Old French word "roi" meaning king, and was often given as an occupational name to a person who served a king or held a position of royal authority. Over time, variations in spelling emerged due to differences in regional pronunciation and recording methods, resulting in forms such as Reines, Reynes, Reyne, and so on.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Reynes

The meaning and origin of the last name Reynes

The surname Reynes is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "Reynier," which meant "ruler of the people" or "king of the common folk." It was originally a given name and became a popular surname during the Middle Ages in France. Over time, variations of the name such as Reynolds, Reynoldson, Renard, Reinhard, and others, emerged due to spelling differences and local dialects. The family name Reynes is believed to have been brought to England by the Normans after their conquest of England in 1066, spreading throughout the British Isles and eventually reaching other parts of Europe and the Americas with later migrations. Today, it remains a common surname, particularly in France, Belgium, Spain, and English-speaking countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Reynes

The surname Reynes is predominantly distributed across Spain and France. In Spain, it is most frequently found in the regions of Castile-Leon, Galicia, Andalusia, and Valencia. In France, it is particularly common in the southwestern region of Aquitaine, as well as in Normandy and Brittany. Additionally, a significant number of individuals with the surname Reynes can also be found in South America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, where many Spanish immigrants settled during the 19th century. Smaller numbers are present in other parts of the world due to migrations and diaspora from Spain and France over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Reynes

The surname Reynes has several variations and spellings. These include Reynes, Raynes, Rains, Rainess, Rayniss, Rayness, Rainz, Rainzs, Rainez, and Raines. All these versions originate from the same root, which is of French or Spanish origin. The name is derived from the word "rainier," meaning "raining" in French, or "reyno" in Spanish, meaning "kingdom." The variations in spelling primarily result from differences in transcription and transliteration when families with this surname moved to other regions, where local languages and writing systems influenced its written form. Despite the variation in spelling, all these surnames are pronounced similarly, and they share a common origin and meaning.

Famous people with the last name Reynes

The surname Reynes is associated with several notable figures across various fields. In the realm of science, José Ferrer y Reynals (1874-1943), also known as José Ferrer, was a Spanish-American physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. In literature, Margarita Nelken de Reynes (1860-1928), better known as Margarita Nelken, was a Chilean poet and novelist whose works are considered classics in Latin American literature.

In music, Joséphine Baker's real name was Freda Josephine McDonald, but she took the stage name of Joséphine Baker de Reynolds during her second marriage to French industrialist Jean Lion (also known as William de Reynolds). A legendary African-American entertainer and civil rights activist, Baker's contributions span the worlds of dance, film, music, and fashion.

Lastly, in the field of art, there is Georges Reynes (1930-2014), a French painter known for his abstract works that often featured a dynamic interplay of color and form. His art was exhibited worldwide, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Genealogical research on the last name Reynes

The surname Reynes is of French origin, derived from various locations in France bearing the name Reines, such as Reines-en-Saintonge and Reines-sur-Hmosne. It was originally a local name for someone who lived in one of these places or a topographic name for someone living on a royal domain. The name has been recorded in various spellings throughout history, including Reynes, Raynes, Reyne, Reyn, and Renys.

The family first appears in records from the 13th century, with notable members including Hugues de Reynes who was a French crusader in the 14th century and Jean-Baptiste Reynes, a prominent physician and botanist during the 18th century. The name spread to other regions of Europe as French settlers migrated, such as Spain, where it evolved into Reyne or Rayna, and the Americas.

Today, the surname Reynes is prevalent in France, Spain, and many countries around the world, with various branches and lineages that continue to be researched by genealogists and family historians.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Reynes"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

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