Reams
A surname likely tied to the French city of Reims, used for someone from that place.
The #6,618 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 60,325 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname is generally taken as a variant spelling or anglicized form connected with Reims in France. Harrison explains it as referring to the city of Reims, from Latin Remis and the Belgic tribal name Remi. The older scholarship also suggests the tribal name may be related to a Celtic word meaning “king” or “before,” though that deeper connection is not certain.
History
This looks like a locational surname, probably brought into English records from medieval forms such as de Reymes. Over time the spelling was simplified to Reams in some families. The name is uncommon in modern usage, especially in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The French city of Reims was historically one of the most important places in the coronation tradition of French kings, which helped make its name widely recognizable.
From the historical record
“REAKES, a var. of Raikes, Rakes, q.v. REAMS (Celt.) Bel. to R(h)eims (France), anc. Remis, dat. pi. of the Belgic tribal name Remi. Hugo de Reymes.— Hund. Rolls. Remi was the name of the leading Bel- gic people, and it would seem to be of the same origin as the Welsh rhwyf, a king, Irish riam, before. — Rhys, Celt.…”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)