Rees is a Welsh surname tied to the historic personal name Rhys and preserved across many regional spelling traditions.
Meaning and Origin
The surname is derived from Rhys, a prominent Welsh personal name that became hereditary in post-medieval family naming.
Geographic Distribution
Rees is common in Wales and neighboring English regions and appears widely in English-speaking diaspora populations.
Historical Records and Context
It appears in medieval references to Welsh lineages and later in parish and civil records under several orthographic forms.
Spelling Variants
- Rhys
- Reese
Notable People
- Dai Rees (golfer)
- Roger Rees (actor)