Reynolds (surname) facts for kids

The name Reynolds is a common family name in the English language. People have been using this surname for a very long time, with some of the first records appearing in the early 1300s. It's a name with a rich history, found in different parts of the world.

English Reynolds: Where the Name Began

The Reynell family's coat of arms, used since the 1200s.

Joshua Reynolds, a famous painter.

The name Reynolds means "son of Reynold." It comes from a father's first name, "Reynold" or "Reginald." These names are Germanic and mean "Powerful Ruler." The "s" at the end of Reynolds simply means "son of."

People with these names came to England with the Norman Conquest in 1066. This was when William the Conqueror and his Norman army took over England. Old English records show the name appeared around this time. For example, a person named Willemus filius Raunaldi was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. This book was a survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror.

The name Reynolds has been spelled in many ways over time. Some examples include Reynell, Reynalds, Renals, and Rennels. This happened because scribes (people who wrote documents) often spelled names the way they sounded. So, a person's name might be spelled differently in various records.

The Reynolds family became important in the county of Somerset, England. Sir Richard Reynell was an early important figure. He was given control of castles by King Richard I in 1191 when the King went on a crusade.

Later, some members of this family moved to Ireland. They joined an invasion led by the Earl of Pembroke. In England, the main family line faced challenges, but Sir Richard's son managed to get their lands back. This family also spread to other parts of England. For example, Walter Reynolds became a favorite of King Edward II and later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.

During the 1100s, some Norman families, including those with the Reynolds name, moved north to Scotland. They followed the Earl of Huntingdon, who later became King David of Scotland.

Famous English Reynolds

Many famous people have carried the Reynolds surname. Here are a few:

• Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792): A very famous English painter.
• John Reynolds (1788–1865): An American politician who was the Governor of Illinois.
• James Clark McReynolds (1862–1946): A US Attorney General and a judge on the US Supreme Court.
• Debbie Reynolds (1932–2016): A beloved American actress, dancer, and singer.
• Burt Reynolds (1936–2018): A well-known American actor.

Family Mottos

Old family mottos for the Reynolds name include:

• Jus meum tuebor ("I will defend my right")
• Favente Deo ("With God favouring")

Irish Reynolds: A Strong History

In Ireland, the Reynolds surname comes from a group of people called the Muintir Eolais. They lived in south County Leitrim. Even today, nearly half of the people named Reynolds in Ireland come from this area.

In the Irish language, the surname is Mac Raghnaill. This name comes from an Old Norse (Viking) name, Rognvald. It combines words meaning "regal" (like a king) and "valor" (bravery). Some Irish Reynolds families also came from French Huguenots. These were French Protestants who moved to Ireland in the 1600s to escape religious persecution. Their original French names were Renaud or Renault.

Many Irish Reynolds families moved away from Ireland. This happened in two main waves. The first was early in America's history, before the American Revolution. The second was in the 1800s, during the Great Hunger (also known as the Great Famine). Millions of Irish people, many of them poor, moved to North America at this time.

Notable Irish Reynolds

Here are some well-known people from Ireland with the Reynolds name:

• Albert Reynolds (1932–2014): He was the Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland.
• Osborne Reynolds (1842–1912): A famous Irish physicist and engineer.
• James Henry Reynolds (1844–1932): A soldier who received the Victoria Cross for bravery.

Welsh Reynolds

• Nicola Reynolds (born 1972): A Welsh actress.

Portuguese Reynolds: A New Beginning

The Reynolds family coat of arms in Portugal.

The Reynolds family in Portugal originally came from England. Thomas Johnson William Reynolds, born in 1786, was a naval officer. He later became an importer of goods like fruit and cork from Spain and Portugal. Because of health reasons, he traveled to Porto, Portugal. He saw great opportunities there to grow his business.

His sons, Thomas, William, and Robert Hunter Reynolds, joined him. His son Robert was key to their success in the Alentejo region. He started buying cork bark directly from trees, sometimes paying years in advance. This was risky but led to big profits. This is how the Reynolds family came to own properties in Estremoz, Portugal.

Other Notable People Named Reynolds

Many other people around the world have the surname Reynolds. Here are a few more:

• Ryan Reynolds (born 1976): A popular Canadian actor.
• Alastair Reynolds (born 1966): A Welsh science fiction author.
• Dan Reynolds (born 1987): The lead singer of the band Imagine Dragons.
• Jason Reynolds (born 1983): A well-known American writer.

Fictional Characters Named Reynolds

The name Reynolds is also used for many characters in books, movies, and TV shows:

• Caroline Reynolds: A character from the TV series Prison Break.
• Malcolm Reynolds: The captain of the ship Serenity in the TV series Firefly.
• Dennis, Deandra, and Frank Reynolds: Characters who own an Irish pub in the TV series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
• Mrs. Reynolds: The housekeeper in Jane Austen's famous book Pride and Prejudice.

Other Uses of Reynolds

• Reynolds cycling team: A professional cycling team from Spain.

See also

• Rennell (disambiguation)
• Reynald (disambiguation)
• McReynolds