Surname Reynolds - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Cultural and Historical Lineage of my Surname, Reynolds, Through iGENEA DNA Test

Using an iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, exploring the roots of my surname, Reynolds. This expedition into my past revealed surprising links to different cultures, geographical locations, and historical events, ultimately weaving a rich tapestry of my ancestry.

D. Reynolds

Reynolds: What does the surname Reynolds mean?

The surname Reynolds has origins in both English and Irish cultures. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the first name of an ancestor, in this case ‘Reginald’ or 'Raginwald', which translates to 'counsel power' in Old German. The name 'Reginald' was brought to England by the Normans in 1066 and over time, it evolved into Rennold and Reynold.

In Ireland, Reynolds is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname 'Mac Raghnaill', which means 'son of Ragnal'. The Gaelic personal name 'Ragnal' is believed to be a Gaelic form of 'Reginald'. The Reynolds families in Ireland are mainly found in counties Leitrim and Cavan.

In both cultures, the use of this surname likely began as a way to distinguish between different bearers of the same personal name, evolving into a hereditary surname.

So, in summary, the surname Reynolds typically signifies a person who is a descendant of Reginald or Ragnal, indicating a lineage of 'counsel power'.

Reynolds: Where does the name Reynolds come from?

The last name Reynolds is of Irish origin, derived from the personal name Raghnaill, which has Old Norse origins. A direct English translation of the name is "counsel-rule," implying wisdom or power to make important decisions.

The Reynolds surname originally becomes more established with the family based in County Leitrim, Ireland, in the 17th century. However, like many Irish surnames, Reynolds was also spread worldwide through emigration, particularly during the time of the Irish Potato Famine in the mid-1800s.

In present times, Reynolds remains a common surname in Ireland. However, it has also become prevalent in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada due to historical Irish migration. United States Census data lists Reynolds as one of its top 100 most common surnames. The name is also famous due to various prominent figures bearing it, such as actors Ryan Reynolds and Burt Reynolds.

Variations of the surname Reynolds

The surname Reynolds is of Irish and English origin. It has several variations, alternate spellings, and associated surnames depending on the particular cultural or regional background.

Some common English variations that exist of the surname Reynolds includes Reynold, Reynoldson, Runnalls, and Renals.

In Ireland, the name Reynolds is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Raghnaill, which means 'son of Raghnal’. Variations of this Gaelic original instead include MacRannell, MacReynold, MacRennell, MacRanald and then, when fully anglicised, became Reynolds, Ronaldson, or Rynell.

Additionally, the surname Reynolds may also originate from Welsh, with the original surname being Reynallt or Reynold.

Lastly, the Reynolds surname is also occasionally used as an Americanized form of a French surname. It becomes the Americanized version of some like-sounding ashkenazic Jewish names.

It's important to note though that spelling variations of the name occurred even between father and son in many instances, mainly due to illiteracy and the localization of communities.

Therefore, while Reynolds is the commonly recognized spelling of this surname today, tracing ancestry might require exploring many different spellings, versions, and forms of the name. In a historical context, these variations are considered to be different representations of the same underlying surname.

Famous people with the name Reynolds

• Ryan Reynolds: A well-known Canadian actor, film producer, and entrepreneur, best known for his role as Deadpool in the Marvel franchise.
• Burt Reynolds: A renowned American actor, director, and producer who starred in numerous films and television series such as "Deliverance" and "Smokey and the Bandit".
• Debbie Reynolds: An American actress, singer, and businesswoman who had roles in well-known films like "Singin' in the Rain".
• Florence Reynolds: An American film actress of the silent era.
• R.J Reynolds: The founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
• Joshua Reynolds: Acclaimed 18th century English painter.
• Malvina Reynolds: A popular folk/blues singer-songwriter and political activist.
• Simon Reynolds: Noted English music critic and author.
• Gene Reynolds: American actor-turned-producer and director, known for co-creating TV show "M*A*S*H".
• Alastair Reynolds: Acclaimed British author known for his works in the science fiction genre.
• Frank Reynolds: An American journalist, he was a news anchor for ABC World News Tonight.
• William Reynolds: An American actor who starred in the series "The F.B.I."
• Gary Reynolds: An American record producer and engineer.
• Thomas Reynolds: An American lawyer and politician who served as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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