Surname Reep - Meaning and Origin
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Reep: What does the surname Reep mean?
"Reep" is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, predominantly found in Great Britain. The name is considered a topographic surname, which is a type of hereditary surname that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.
The term "Reep" is derived from the Old English word "hrif," meaning "belly, womb." As a surname, it was usually given to someone living near a ridge or a recognizable geographical formation that resembles a ridgeline. Alternatively, it might have been a nickname for someone with a prominent belly.
It's also observed that the name could have occupational roots referring to people who were involved in textile or cordage industries, as "reep" can also relate to "rope."
Like many surnames, the exact meaning can differ based on the lineage and history of the specific family bearing the name. Variations of the name include Reap, Reip, and Reepes. Please note that surname meanings are generally subjective and can be interpreted differently based on geographical and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisReep: Where does the name Reep come from?
The last name Reep has roots in Germany, stretching back to the 1700s. Today, the surname is fairly common in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Outside of the German-speaking world, the Reep surname is seen in Australia, The United States, Canada, and parts of the United Kingdom.
In the United States, the last name Reep is especially common in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Pennsylvania area is an especially popular location with the Reep surname, being the adopted home of thousands of German-speaking immigrants.
In Ohio, the Reep surname is similarly popular with many families tracing their roots to early German settlers in the area. In Australia, the name Reep is also popular, with many Australian Reep families having been descended from German migrants in the 1900s.
Outside of these dominant regions, the Reep surname can also be found in small numbers in South Africa, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and France. In each case, the families could be traced back to German ancestors who had left their homeland many years earlier.
Overall, the last name Reep can be found in many countries around the world, with the highest density of members in German-speaking countries and in Pennsylvania and Ohio in the United States.
Variations of the surname Reep
The surname Reep is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word rip meaning a Reaper- one who cut crops such as wheat and oats. The name is believed to have originated from Central Europe, and is found in various spellings such as Reap, Reipp, Reep, Reiph, Reib, Reif, Reife and Reifes. Variants of the name are found across the globe including Reif, Reifs, Reifsteck, Rheif, Reip and Rhyf in the Germanic countries; Réal and Memorial in the Romance languages; Roep and Roepke in Dutch; and Reibe and Reifen in Yiddish.
The name Reep also has many associated surnames, some of which have been Anglicised over the years. These include Reap, Reapes, Reaps, Reavis, Reaves, Reive, Rieves, Rife, and Rives. In some cases, the surnames may bear no resemblance to the original name. Such examples include Reish, Rheet, Reece, Racer, Radke, Rhoades, Raible, and Ripka.
It is also worth noting that certain spellings of the name may be associated with immigrant families, which resulted in a number of changes and variations over time. For example, the name Reep may also be spelled Reap in some cases, which is often associated with English immigrants in the mid-1800s. Similarly, Reif may be another spelling associated with Germanic settlers, while Reats could be another variant stemming from Scots-Irish immigration. Therefore, it is important to note the origins of the name and take into consideration its various spellings and variants when conducting research on the surname Reep.
Famous people with the name Reep
- Rachel Reep: Rachel Reep is a professional cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys.
- Tom Reep: Tom Reep is an American author and radio personality.
- Joe Reep: Joe Reep is a former minor league pitcher and hitting coach in the Milwaukee Brewers system.
- Steve Reep: Steve Reep is a former college football player and college football coach.
- Shannon Reep: Shannon Reep is a professional dancer and choreographer.
- Rheta Grimsley Johnson Reep: Rheta Grimsley Johnson Reep is an American columnist and the author of several books of essays and memoirs.
- Brandon Reep: Brandon Reep is an American freestyle skier.
- David Reep: David Reep is an American soccer coach and former player, who played most recently for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.
- William Reep: William Reep is an American cartoonist and was vice president of the National Cartoonists Society from 1967 to 1969.
- Caryn Reep: Caryn Reep is an American golfer who won the 1988 Women's North and South Amateur Championship.