FastNamesReyes Surname
Spanish surname meaning "Patronymic and devotional surname derived from Spanish reyes ('kings', plural of rey, from Latin rex), honoring the Biblical Three Magi or Kings (Los Tres Reyes Magos).". Ranked 60th in the United States with 327,904 recorded bearers in the 2010 Census (111.2 per 100,000 Americans).
Meaning and origin of the surname Reyes
Patronymic and devotional surname derived from Spanish reyes ('kings', plural of rey, from Latin rex), honoring the Biblical Three Magi or Kings (Los Tres Reyes Magos).
Historically and linguistically, Reyes belongs to the Spanish family of surnames. It is conventionally pronounced "RAY-ez".
United States Census frequency and ranking
In the official 2010 United States Census, Reyes was recorded 327,904 times, ranking as the 60th most common surname in the nation.
This represents an incidence rate of approximately 111.16 bearers per 100,000 Americans, or roughly 1 out of every 900 residents.
Race and ethnicity distribution
According to official decennial Census genealogy microdata, individuals bearing the surname Reyesreported the following racial and ethnic affiliations in the 2010 US Census:
| Racial or ethnic group | Share of bearers |
|---|---|
| White | 4.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 88.58% |
| Black or African American | 0.59% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 5.58% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.24% |
| Two or more races | 0.59% |
Source: US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Surnames Data. Percentages may not sum to exactly 100% due to independent rounding or suppression of small cell counts for privacy protection.
History of the surname Reyes
Reyes is a distinguished Spanish surname derived from the plural noun reyes ('kings'), which traces to Latin rex (genitive regis, 'king'). Rather than signifying royal descent, onomastic research demonstrates that Reyes originated predominantly as a devotional name bestowed upon infants born around or baptized on the Christian Feast of the Epiphany (January 6), known throughout the Hispanic world as Día de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Three Wise Kings).
Additionally, Reyes functioned as a locational surname for individuals hailing from any of the numerous towns in Spain bearing the royal honorific, such as San Sebastián de los Reyes or Villarejo de Salvanés. It was widely established across Castile, Andalusia, and Extremadura during the Middle Ages before accompanying Spanish expeditions to the Americas and the Philippines.
In modern American vital statistics, Reyes has grown rapidly, reflecting broader demographic trends in Hispanic immigration and birth rates. In the 2010 United States Census, Reyes ranked 60th nationwide with 327,904 recorded individuals, with 88.58% identifying as Hispanic or Latino and 5.58% as Asian and Pacific Islander (largely Filipino Americans).
Notable people with the surname Reyes
- José Reyes (1983–), Dominican-American former MLB shortstop and four-time All-Star
- Alfonso Reyes (1889–1959), Celebrated Mexican writer, philosopher, and diplomat
- Judy Reyes (1967–), American actress known for Scrubs and Devious Maids
- Ernie Reyes Jr. (1972–), American actor and martial artist
Variants and related surnames
Spelling variants
Related surnames
Sources and references
- Patrick Hanks, Richard Coates, Peter McClure. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland (2016), p. 2221.
- Roberto Faure, María Asunción Ribas, Antonio García. Diccionario de apellidos españoles (2001), p. 611.
- U.S. Census Bureau. 2010 Census Surnames Data (2016). Reference link.