UK surname
An occupational surname for someone who harvested or sold wheat, barley, or other grains.
In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Reep surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #21,211 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kidderminster, Stoke Climsland and St Dominick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reep is 120 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.0%.
1881 census count
88
Ranked #21,211
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1891
120 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reep surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reep surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 88 | #21,211 |
| 1891 | historical | 120 | #21,292 |
| 1901 | historical | 88 | #24,270 |
| 1911 | historical | 92 | #23,580 |
| 1997 | modern | 66 | #31,038 |
| 1998 | modern | 63 | #31,639 |
| 1999 | modern | 62 | #31,893 |
| 2000 | modern | 62 | #31,939 |
| 2001 | modern | 54 | #32,583 |
| 2002 | modern | 53 | #33,021 |
| 2003 | modern | 53 | #33,076 |
| 2004 | modern | 52 | #33,418 |
| 2005 | modern | 51 | #33,701 |
| 2006 | modern | 53 | #33,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 51 | #34,272 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 51 | #34,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 53 | #34,657 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kidderminster, Stoke Climsland, St Dominick, Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Stoke Climsland | Cornwall |
| 3 | St Dominick | Cornwall |
| 4 | Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy | Devon |
| 5 | Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reep surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Reep, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Reep surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reep household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Reep is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reep is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reep, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname REEP is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English word "rep" or "rep-ian," which means to reap or gather crops. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been agricultural workers or farmers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the REEP surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086. This historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, contains several references to individuals with the name REEP or similar spellings, such as REPE or REAP.
During the Middle Ages, the surname REEP was primarily concentrated in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Some notable historical figures bearing this name include John REEP, a merchant from Oxford who lived in the 14th century, and William REEP, a farmer from Gloucestershire mentioned in records from the late 15th century.
The REEP surname was also associated with several place names in England, such as Reepham in Norfolk and Repton in Derbyshire. These place names likely derived from the Old English words "rep" or "rep-tun," meaning a reaping or harvesting settlement.
One of the most prominent individuals with the REEP surname was Sir Thomas REEP (1551-1624), an English politician and member of parliament during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I. He served as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire and was known for his involvement in local government affairs.
Another notable figure was Robert REEP (1635-1691), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Windsor and Registrar of the Order of the Garter. He published several works on theology and religious subjects during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, John REEP (1711-1783) was a successful merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was involved in the wool trade and owned several properties in the region.
During the 19th century, the REEP surname gained recognition through the achievements of William REEP (1817-1891), a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings, including churches and country houses.
Finally, one of the most recent historical figures with the REEP surname was Reginald REEP (1892-1966), a British military officer who served in both World War I and World War II, earning several distinguished service medals for his bravery and leadership.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reep surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 40 Reeps recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 40 | 41.63x |
| Surrey | 13 | 3.14x |
| Devon | 12 | 6.79x |
| Worcestershire | 10 | 9.02x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.73x |
| Somerset | 4 | 2.93x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 19.46x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.37x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Dominick in Cornwall leads with 23 Reeps recorded in 1881 and an index of 9583.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Dominick | 23 | 9583.33x |
| Croydon | 10 | 43.57x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 10 | 154.08x |
| Stoke Climsland | 9 | 1475.41x |
| Dartford | 5 | 168.92x |
| St Ewe | 5 | 1724.14x |
| St Peter Tavy | 5 | 5555.56x |
| Stonehouse East | 5 | 555.56x |
| Taunton St James | 4 | 201.01x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 11.87x |
| St Blazey | 2 | 238.10x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.10x |
| Marytavy | 1 | 384.62x |
| Rothesay | 1 | 40.16x |
| Southill | 1 | 666.67x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 8.09x |
| Workington | 1 | 23.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reep surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Reep surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Reep households.
FAQ
In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Reep surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Reep a modern rank of #34,838.
An occupational surname for someone who harvested or sold wheat, barley, or other grains.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reep bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.