This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Reaves family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Reaves Family History

Reaves Surname Meaning

English: variant of Reeves.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Reaves family from?

You can see how Reaves families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Reaves family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Reaves families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 81 Reaves families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Reaves's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Reaves families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Reaves surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Reaves ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Reaves. 50% of Reaves men worked as a General Labourer and 71% of Reaves women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Reaves were Furnace Engineer and Retired.

View Census Data for Reaves | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    50%
  • Furnace Engineer
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    71%
  • Housewife
    16%
  • Private Means
    5%
  • Retired
    5%

What Reaves family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 49,000 census records available for the last name Reaves. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Reaves census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Reaves

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Reaves. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Reaves immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 12,000 military records available for the last name Reaves. For the veterans among your Reaves ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Reaves military records

You've only scratched the surface of Reaves family history

Discover More

What is the average Reaves lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Reaves life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1957, and highest in 1999. The average life expectancy for Reaves in 1943 was 44, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Reaves

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Reaves ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Reaves family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial