UK surname
A French surname meaning "dreams" or "reveries."
In the 1881 census there were 106 people recorded with the Reves surname, ranking it #19,083 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #19,083 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Thorner and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reves is 181 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.5%.
1881 census count
106
Ranked #19,083
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1851
181 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reves surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reves surname density by area, 1881 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 | 181 | #11,256 |
| 1861 | historical | 170 | #13,763 |
| 1881 | historical | 106 | #19,083 |
| 1891 | historical | 161 | #17,473 |
| 1901 | historical | 34 | #30,281 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Thorner, Margate, Meare and Brighton. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Thorner | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Margate | Kent |
| 4 | Meare | Somerset |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reves 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 Reves, 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 Reves surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reves 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, Reves 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 Reves is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reves, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname REVES originated in France during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old French word "rever," which means "to dream" or "to wander aimlessly." This name was initially given as a nickname to someone who was known for their dreamy or distracted nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the REVES surname can be found in the Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Redon, a collection of medieval charters from Brittany, France, dating back to the 11th century. In this document, a person named "Alanus Reves" is mentioned as a witness to a land transaction.
The REVES name also appears in the famous Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this record, the name is spelled "Reves" and is associated with individuals living in various counties, including Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
During the 12th century, a notable figure named Raoul REVES was a prominent scholar and philosopher at the University of Paris. He is known for his contributions to the development of scholastic philosophy and his influential writings on logic and metaphysics.
In the 14th century, a French nobleman named Jean REVES played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. He served as a military commander and advisor to King Charles V, distinguishing himself in several battles against the English forces.
Another notable bearer of the REVES surname was Jeanne REVES, a 15th-century French mystic and visionary. She is known for her spiritual visions and prophecies, which were recorded in a manuscript titled "Le Livre des Révélations de Jeanne REVES."
In the 16th century, a renowned architect named Jacques REVES was responsible for designing and constructing several notable landmarks in Paris, including the Church of Saint-Eustache and parts of the Louvre Palace.
During the 17th century, a French playwright and satirist named Paul REVES gained recognition for his witty and biting critiques of contemporary society. His works, including "Les Folies du Temps" and "La Satire des Mœurs," were widely popular and influential in literary circles.
Throughout history, the REVES surname has been associated with various locations and place names, such as Revesville, a small village in Normandy, France, and Rèves, a commune in the Isère department of southeastern France.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reves 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. Middlesex leads with 24 Reves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 24 | 2.32x |
| Lanarkshire | 9 | 2.69x |
| Oxfordshire | 9 | 14.10x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.57x |
| Leicestershire | 7 | 6.11x |
| Kent | 6 | 1.70x |
| Nottinghamshire | 6 | 4.31x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.63x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.99x |
| Sussex | 5 | 2.87x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 1.85x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 4.01x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.29x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.93x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.57x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.59x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.60x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.53x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.47x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.56x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.49x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.63x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 1.25x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.09x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Reves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.64x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reves 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 Reves 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 Reves households.
FAQ
In 1881, 106 people were recorded with the Reves surname. That placed it at #19,083 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Reves a modern rank of #37,705.
A French surname meaning "dreams" or "reveries."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reves 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.