Last Name Rives

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Rives

In terms of ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census reveals a diverse ethnic identity associated with the surname Rives. In 2000, the largest ethnic group was White at 77.01%, followed by Hispanic at 10.22% and Black at 11.23%. By 2010, the percentage of Whites had decreased to 72.74%, while Hispanics had increased significantly to 15.21%. The Black population also saw a decrease to 10.05%. Additionally, there were minor increases in the Asian/Pacific Islander category (from 0.37% to 0.48%) and in the American Indian and Alaskan Native category (from 0.28% to 0.40%), as well as those identifying with two or more races (growing from 0.89% to 1.13%).

	2000	2010	Change
White	77.01%	72.74%	-5.54%
Hispanic	10.22%	15.21%	48.83%
Black	11.23%	10.05%	-10.51%
Two or More Races	0.89%	1.13%	26.97%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.37%	0.48%	29.73%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.28%	0.4%	42.86%

Rives ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Rives is British & Irish, which comprises 59.2% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (14.1%) and Spanish & Portuguese (9.3%). Additional ancestries include Indigenous American, Eastern European, Ashkenazi Jewish, Scandinavian, and Nigerian.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	59.2%
French & German	14.1%
Spanish & Portuguese	9.3%
Other	17.5%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Cham

One of the many populations harboring members of haplogroup O1b1a1a1a1 is the Cham ethnic group, a group of people who speak Austronesian languages in Mainland Southeast Asia. Austronesian languages make up a language family that is extremely large and widespread, comprising over 350 million people on islands such as Madagascar, Easter Island, and many others. However, Austronesian languages are less common on mainland Asia, with a notable exception being the Chamic language. Research suggests that ancestors of the Cham people migrated from Southeast Asian islands to the mainland around the year 500 BCE, and that early Cham populations quickly began mixing with indigenous southern Vietnamese populations. As a result, the Chamic language now has words that were borrowed from languages spoken by indigenous Vietnamese people. It is likely that an ancestral Kinh population was one of the populations that mixed with the Cham people shortly after their migration to mainland Asia.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the nomadic Tuareg of the Sahara

Though haplogroup H1 rarely reaches high frequencies beyond western Europe, over 60% of eastern Tuareg in Libya belong to haplogroup H1. The Tuareg call themselves the Imazghan, meaning “free people.” They are an isolated, semi-nomadic people who inhabit the West-Central Sahara and are known today for a distinctive dark blue turban worn by the men, and for their long history as gatekeepers of the desert.How did women carrying H1 make it all the way from western Europe to this isolated community? They likely migrated from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco after the Last Ice Age, where they were assimilated into the Berbers of the Mediterranean coast. Then, about 5,000 years ago, the Sahara shifted from a period of relative habitable conditions to its dramatically arid desert environment. This shift may have caused migrations throughout the Sahara, prompting the ancient Tuaregs to meet and mingle with the Berbers, bringing H1 lineages into their population.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rives

The meaning and origin of the last name Rives

The surname Rives is of English and French origin, derived from the Old French word "rive," meaning "riverbank" or "shore." It is a topographic name that was given to those who lived near a river or a body of water. The name Rives likely originated as a locational surname, denoting someone who resided near the banks of a river. Alternatively, it could have also been an occupational surname for someone who worked by or on the river, such as a fisherman or a ferryman. Variations of the surname include Rivers, Rivière (in French), and Rivera (in Spanish and Portuguese). Over time, the surname Rives has spread across different regions and countries. Today, individuals with the surname Rives can be found worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rives

The last name Rives has a relatively limited geographical distribution, primarily concentrated in the United States and France. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in the southern states, particularly in the southeastern region. States such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have a higher concentration of individuals with the last name Rives. This could be attributed to the historical presence of French settlers in these areas. In France, the name Rives is also found, but it is less prevalent compared to the United States. It is primarily concentrated in the southwestern regions, particularly in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. The surname Rives is likely derived from the French word "rive," meaning "bank" or "shore," suggesting a possible association with geographical features such as rivers or bodies of water.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rives

The last name Rives has various variations and spellings that have emerged over time. Some of the most common variations include Rivers, Reeve, Reves, Riives, and Ryves. These different spellings often originated from different regions and dialects, as well as through the immigration and migration of individuals with this surname. The spelling "Rivers" is a commonly seen variation and suggests a connection to bodies of water or an individual dwelling near rivers. "Reeve" is another variation that may have derived from medieval times, referring to a local official responsible for law enforcement. The spelling "Reves" could suggest a French or Spanish influence, while "Riives" and "Ryves" may reflect alternative phonetic interpretations or adaptations to different languages. These variations and spellings of the last name Rives highlight the diversity of its origins and the rich history behind each individual's family lineage. Whether due to regional dialects, migrations, or other historical factors, these variations contribute to the unique tapestry of the Rives family name.

Famous people with the last name Rives

One famous figure with the last name Rives is Amélie Rives, an American author, poet, and socialite. Born in 1863, she gained popularity with her bestselling novel "The Quick or the Dead?" and penned numerous poems, short stories, and plays throughout her career. Rives was known for her wit, beauty, and charming personality, often attracting prominent figures of the time such as Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain to her social gatherings. Another notable personality is Clare Boothe Luce, born Clare Boothe Rives in 1903. Luce was an influential American playwright, politician, and diplomat. As the author of the successful play "The Women," she became one of the leading women playwrights of the 20th century. Luce later transitioned into politics and became the first American woman appointed as an ambassador to a major nation, serving in Italy. Both Amélie Rives and Clare Boothe Luce left lasting impressions in the arts and political spheres.

Genealogical research on the last name Rives

The surname Rives is of English origin and has a long and rich history. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "hreifi," which means "reeve" or "steward." The Rives family played an important role in medieval England as stewards or managers of estates belonging to nobility or the Crown. Over time, the surname Rives went through various spelling variations, including Reeve, Reevs, and Rieves. The first recorded instance of the surname Rives can be traced back to the 13th century, where a family by that name resided in Surrey, England. Several prominent individuals bearing the Rives surname emerged throughout history, including colonial settlers who arrived in America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable Rives family members include Richard Rives, who was an early settler in Virginia, and William Cabell Rives, a prominent politician and diplomat during the 19th century. Today, the Rives surname can be found in various parts of the United States and Europe, with many individuals proudly carrying on the ancestral heritage. Genealogical research on the Rives family continues to uncover fascinating details about their origins and lineage.