Surname Reason - Meaning and Origin

Reason: What does the surname Reason mean?

The surname Reason is of English origin and derives from the medieval personal name Reason or Resoun, which originally held the meaning of "ardent, earnest". This personalized name, often given as a nickname, was a popular choice during the Middle Ages, when names handled moral or virtuary features. Over time, the term evolved into a surname through common use and tradition. Consequently, the surname Reason might denote an earnest or zealous ancestor in one's family lineage. It is also important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and the meaning could vary based on geographical and historical contexts. The surname itself is relatively rare, but it is most commonly found in English-speaking countries.

Reason: Where does the name Reason come from?

The surname Reason is of Irish origin, though its earliest historical records can be traced to England in the Middle Ages. It is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The name is also prevalent in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, thanks to waves of Irish immigrants making their way to the countries over the centuries.

In the UK alone, there are over 20,000 people with the surname Reason. In Ireland, the most popular counties for the surname are Clare, Kerry and Limerick. The number of people bearing the name Reason in the US is much larger. According to the US Census of 2010, over 26,000 people living in the country had the surname Reason.

The name Reason has been found in other countries as well, such as France, Canada and South Africa. However, this is due largely to immigration patterns, as the founding families of the surname likely originated from Great Britain or Ireland. In more recent decades, it has become increasingly global thanks to increased international travel and population migration.

Variations of the surname Reason

The surname Reason is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. The surnames of Reason can vary by modern spelling, as well as regional and ethnic derivations.

Common variants of the surname Reason include Rees, Reece, Reis, Reiss, Reisser, Reiser, Rese, Reys, Reyss, and Ree. In some cases, the surname might also be spelled Rayce, Rayse, Reace, Reece, Reese, Ries, Risse, Rizzo, Rea, Resch, Reszke, and Reznor.

Variant spellings of Reason can be found in countries across Europe, including German as Reiss, Reyser, Reiger, Rieser, and Rehse; Italian as Rizzo and Rezzonico; and Dutch as Reysen and Reusen.

In the United States, the name is spelled Reason and Reece, and originates from English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. In Scotland, the variants are Rees and Reece, as well as MacRees and MacReese. Variants of the name are also found in Ireland, as Rees, Rease, and Reece.

Due to immigration from many regions over the years, Reason has often been modified or adapted as people settled in different countries. Thus, the surname Reason also has many spellings which are associated with other origins, such as Mauro, Reizman, Riseman, Rizzi, Rezak, and Racic.

Famous people with the name Reason

• Dr. Damon A. Reason, American NeuroPsychologist, Professor, and Executive Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research
• April Reason, British-born American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
• Priscilla Reason, Jamaican humanitarian, lecturer, medical doctor, and professor
• Jaden Reason, American social media influencer, entrepreneur, and TikTok star
• Zebulon Reason, German-born American internet personality, creator of the popular YouTube series ReasonTV
• Justin Reason, Canadian-born comedian, actor, musician, and podcaster
• Chaley Reason, American actress, singer, and dancer
• Delbert Reason, American creative writer, poet, and fiction author
• Edward Reason, American baseball player
• Nick Reason, English-born sports broadcaster and presenter

Other surnames

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