NameCensus.

UK surname

Ree

A locational surname likely originating from an English place name.

In the 1881 census there were 134 people recorded with the Ree surname, ranking it #16,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 234, ranked #17,572, down from #16,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dunnichen, Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller and Arbroath and St. Vigeans. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, The Vale of Glamorgan and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ree is 257 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 74.6%.

1881 census count

134

Ranked #16,602

Modern count

234

2016, ranked #17,572

Peak year

1998

257 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ree had 134 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 234 in 2016, ranked #17,572.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 235 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Ree surname distribution map

The map shows where the Ree surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Ree surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ree over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 180 #11,300
1881 historical 134 #16,602
1891 historical 38 #31,330
1901 historical 235 #13,662
1997 modern 250 #15,281
1998 modern 257 #15,401
1999 modern 245 #16,012
2000 modern 227 #16,792
2001 modern 216 #17,103
2002 modern 222 #17,147
2003 modern 218 #17,131
2004 modern 219 #17,180
2005 modern 215 #17,334
2006 modern 212 #17,612
2007 modern 215 #17,633
2008 modern 218 #17,638
2009 modern 234 #17,194
2010 modern 237 #17,368
2011 modern 236 #17,279
2012 modern 233 #17,339
2013 modern 233 #17,606
2014 modern 229 #17,925
2015 modern 225 #18,050
2016 modern 234 #17,572

Geography

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Where Rees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dunnichen, Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller, Arbroath and St. Vigeans, London parishes and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, The Vale of Glamorgan and Newcastle upon Tyne. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Dunnichen Forfar
2 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset
3 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
4 London parishes London 3
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 005 Herefordshire, County of
2 Herefordshire 019 Herefordshire, County of
3 Herefordshire 018 Herefordshire, County of
4 The Vale of Glamorgan 001 Vale of Glamorgan
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 004 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ree

These lists show first names that appear often with the Ree surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ree

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ree, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Ree surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ree household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Ree is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ree is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ree falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ree is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ree, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ree

The surname REE originated in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Dutch word "ree," which means "deer." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a person who lived near a forest or hunting area where deer were found.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name REE can be found in the Gelderse Leenaktenboeken, a collection of records related to land ownership and feudal obligations in the Dutch province of Gelderland. These records date back to the 14th century and mention individuals with the surname Ree.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in the Haagse Leenregisters, which documented feudal land holdings in the region around The Hague. This further establishes the presence of the REE surname in the Netherlands during the medieval period.

A notable figure bearing the surname REE was Pieter Ree, a Dutch painter who lived from 1615 to 1670. He was known for his landscapes and cityscapes, particularly those depicting scenes from Amsterdam and the surrounding areas.

Another individual of historical significance was Hendrik Ree, a Dutch military officer and engineer who served in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) during the 17th century. He played a role in the construction of fortifications and defensive works in the region.

In the 18th century, the REE surname can be found in various records from the Netherlands, such as church registers and civil records. One example is Johannes Ree, a merchant from Amsterdam who was born in 1721 and played a prominent role in the city's trade and commerce.

Moving into the 19th century, Cornelis Ree was a Dutch politician and lawyer who lived from 1828 to 1895. He served as a member of the Dutch Parliament and was instrumental in shaping legal reforms during his time.

Throughout its history, the surname REE has maintained its connection to the Netherlands, although it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. While the name may have evolved in spelling or pronunciation over time, its origins can be traced back to the Dutch word for "deer" and the medieval period in the Low Countries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ree families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ree surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 23 Rees recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.12x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 23 1.12x
Angus 22 13.75x
Middlesex 21 1.22x
Staffordshire 17 2.92x
Lanarkshire 15 2.69x
Somerset 9 3.24x
Durham 8 1.56x
Surrey 8 0.95x
Warwickshire 7 1.61x
Midlothian 5 2.16x
Yorkshire 5 0.29x
Devon 3 0.83x
Hampshire 3 0.85x
Herefordshire 3 4.24x
Leicestershire 3 1.57x
Norfolk 3 1.13x
Northumberland 3 1.17x
Shropshire 3 2.01x
Worcestershire 3 1.33x
Cheshire 2 0.52x
Gloucestershire 2 0.59x
Royal Navy 2 9.72x
Sussex 2 0.69x
Berkshire 1 0.77x
Glamorgan 1 0.33x
Kent 1 0.17x
Morayshire 1 3.73x
Perthshire 1 1.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bromley London in Middlesex leads with 10 Rees recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.33x.

Place Total Index
Bromley London 10 26.33x
Dunnichen 10 1190.48x
Padiham 9 181.82x
Aldridge 8 714.29x
Battersea 8 12.59x
Curry Rivell 8 860.22x
Govan 8 5.79x
Forfar 6 69.28x
Old Monkland 6 27.08x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 5.37x
Everton 5 7.66x
Rawdon 5 248.76x
Burton Upon Trent 4 29.35x
Dundee 4 6.70x
Finchley 4 60.42x
Sutton 4 58.22x
Aston 3 2.50x
Birmingham 3 2.07x
Bishopwearmouth 3 6.80x
Hartlepool 3 41.10x
Heather 3 1153.85x
Ludlow St Lawrence 3 101.01x
Portsea 3 4.33x
Rushall 3 87.46x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 2 147.06x
Cowpen 2 33.78x
Cradley 2 192.31x
Cuddington In Northwich 2 833.33x
Great Cressingham 2 714.29x
Hove 2 15.66x
Rock 2 222.22x
Royal Navy 2 11.37x
St Vigeans 2 23.18x
Stoke Damerel 2 7.95x
Teddington London 2 51.15x
Walsall Foreign 2 6.64x
Whickham 2 42.28x
Barony 1 0.71x
Boharm 1 142.86x
Cargill 1 123.46x
Ealing 1 6.48x
Edgbaston 1 7.41x
Ellel 1 94.34x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 1 16.13x
Grays Inn Staple Inn 1 454.55x
Hammersmith London 1 2.35x
Ince In Makerfield 1 10.49x
Limehouse London 1 5.28x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 3.46x
Moss Side 1 9.28x
North Dissington 1 2500.00x
Norwich St George Tombland 1 212.77x
Pinner 1 66.23x
Remenham 1 270.27x
Shelsley Beauchamp 1 588.24x
Strood 1 29.76x
Stroud 1 15.17x
Tormoham 1 6.57x
Ullingswick 1 588.24x
White Lackington 1 588.24x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ree surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 6
Sarah 6
Elizabeth 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Caroline 3
Emma 3
Jane 3
Susan 3
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Francis 2
Hannah 2
A.L. 1
Adelaide 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Christianna 1
Ester 1
Flaura 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Isabel 1
Jemma 1
Keziah 1
L. 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Susannah 1
Teresa 1
Thecla 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Ree surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 7
James 6
John 6
George 4
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Charles 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Thomas 2
A.L. 1
Albert 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Isidor 1
Morris 1
Percival 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Samuel 1
Septimus 1
Shad 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Ree surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ree surname in 1881?

In 1881, 134 people were recorded with the Ree surname. That placed it at #16,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ree surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 234 in 2016. That gives Ree a modern rank of #17,572.

What does the Ree surname mean?

A locational surname likely originating from an English place name.

What does the Ree map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ree bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.