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 Reel family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Reel Family History

Reel Surname Meaning

Irish: shortened Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Raghaill ‘descendant of Raghall’ a short form of the personal name Raghailleach; see Riley and compare Riel.

Americanized form of German Riehl.

Flemish: from a short form of the ancient Germanic personal name Radilo itself a short form of a compound name formed with rād ‘counsel advice’ as the first element for example Radolf (see Ralph).

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 Reel family from?

You can see how Reel families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Reel family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Reel families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 37 Reel families living in Lancashire. This was about 25% of all the recorded Reel's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Reel families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Reel 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 Reel 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 Reel. 50% of Reel men worked as a General Labourer and 94% of Reel women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Reel were Miner Stonework Heavy Worker and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Reel | 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%
  • Miner Stonework Heavy Worker
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    94%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    7%

What Reel family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 28,000 census records available for the last name Reel. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Reel census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Reel

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Reel. 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 Reel immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 5,000 military records available for the last name Reel. For the veterans among your Reel ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Reel military records

You've only scratched the surface of Reel family history

Discover More

What is the average Reel lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Reel life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1946, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Reel in 1945 was 31, and 72 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Reel

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Reel 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 Reel family tree

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