Surname Reesor - Meaning and Origin

Reesor: What does the surname Reesor mean?

The surname Reesor is of German origin, derived from the personal name "Reese." The term "Reese" itself is derived from the old Welsh name "Ris," meaning "ardent" or "fiery," suggesting a fiery or passionate nature. Thus, Reesor might be interpreted as "descendant of Ris" or "family of the passionate one."

The Reesor surname is most commonly associated with a large family group of Swiss-German Mennonites who immigrated to Canada in the 18th century and settled in the area which is now Toronto. In Canada, the Reesor name became associated with a lineage of farmers, teachers, and community leaders.

However, like many surnames, the exact meaning can be somewhat uncertain due to changes in spelling and language usage over centuries. It's also important to remember that surnames are often linked to geographical areas, occupations, or family patriarchs, and mean different things in different cultures and languages.

Reesor: Where does the name Reesor come from?

The Reesor surname is most common today in Ontario, Canada, particularly in Wellington County in the townships of Maryborough, Peel, and Minto. It is believed that the Reesor name is of Swiss-German origin, with the Reesors first arriving in North America in the 18th century on the ships of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

The Reesors built a Mennonite settlement in what is now the rural township of Maryborough, Ontario. This settlement has since become the home of a large population of Reesors, which is why records show the greatest concentration of Reesor families can be found in the Maryborough area.

The Reesors are most known for their farming and agricultural accomplishments in the area. The development of the Hagersville horseradish plant in 1889 was a major industrial milestone for the Reesors and the entire county. This company still produces horseradish today, supplied to major retail stores across southern Ontario and Quebec.

Another large part of the Wellington Reesors practise the Mennonite faith. The St Jacobs Mennonite church, which opened in 1855, remains one of the oldest and most well-respected churches in the area. The Reesor Farm Centre, part of the Mennonite Heritage Village, is another significant establishment. This centre allows visitors to learn more about the traditional rural Mennonite way of life and how it impacted the local history and development of the township of Maryborough.

Today, the Reesor surname is found all across North America, with large populations in Ontario, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. Although the Reesor name may not be as common or well-known today, it is still deeply rooted in the culture and history of Wellington County, Ontario.

Variations of the surname Reesor

Reesor is a surname of Germanic origin widely used in North America, although it has multiple variants and spellings. Among these variations, some of the most common are Reisser, Reiss, Resser, Risser, Riss, and Reaser.

In Germany, the original spelling is Reiser, meaning “traveler”. It generally refers to those who were travelers and some other variant of the name refers to those who settled down and established roots.

The surname is German-based, but is very popular in parts of Europe and Scandinavia. It's also used in Hungary and Romania, where it may be spelled Räeser, Rézor, Réser,or Réssor. In England, the spelling has evolved to Reesor, Rees, Reisser, and Reeser.

It's also found in North America, where the various forms are either Dutch or German variations, or even a combination of both. For instance, in Canada the spelling is often Reeceor or Reiseer, and in the United States it may be Reaser, Riser, Reezor, or Reeser. In the latter case, the spelling is mostly used by Americans of Germanic descent.

Overall, Reesor is an easily recognizable surname outlining the Germanic immigrant experience. Its variants and spellings have all been created over time depending on country and region adopted, but all point back to the root of "traveler".

Famous people with the name Reesor

• Donna Reesor: Canadian singer and front vocalist of the folk rock band Wolfe Island Line.
• Lindsey Reesor: Canadian actress and dancer.
• Eugene Reesor: Canadian television producer.
• James Reesor: promoter of the idea of starting a Church of England mission in Upper Canada.
• Warren Reesor: Ontario politician and executive.
• Jill Reesor: Ontario provincial court judge.
• Tom Reesor: Canadian entrepreneur.
• Dave Reesor: Canadian actor.
• Amanda Reesor: Canadian actress and model.
• Laura Reesor: Canadian children’s book author.
• Anna Reesor: Canadian figure skater.
• Maureen Reesor: President Emeritus and professor emeritus of the University of Manitoba.
• Jim Reesor: Canadian politician.

Other surnames

Reeson