Surname Reasor - Meaning and Origin
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Reasor: What does the surname Reasor mean?
The last name Reasor is of English origin and is considered to be a topographic surname. This means it was originally given to people based on the geographical location they lived in or came from. Reasor may derive from the phrase "at the reese" or "at the rise," making reference to a high or elevated piece of land. Therefore, it is likely that the name was associated with those people who lived on or close to a hill or to an elevated area. The use of topographic surnames was common in an era where there were no formal street addresses and people needed to describe their locations relative to natural landmarks. Like other surnames, Reasor might have variations in spelling like Reasore, Reesor, Reaser, etc. due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling during its historical formation. Please note that specific derivations can still vary and the exact origin of individual instances of the surname could be from different sources.
Order DNA origin analysisReasor: Where does the name Reasor come from?
The last name Reasor is mostly concentrated in the United States, although families bearing the name can be found in other countries around the world. In the US, it is common in several states including Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas. Within the US, the last name is most frequently concentrated in states in the South, Southwest, and Midwest regions.
In Oklahoma, the surname is particularly common in Tulsa County, with more than 600 people with the Reasor name listed in the 2016 census, although its presence can be felt in other areas of the state as well. In Texas, the surname is also more common in certain counties, including Travis and Collin County, but it can be found in other areas of the state, too.
In Arkansas, the surname is popular in the northwest region, particularly in Washington and Benton Counties, and in Kansas, the surname is reasonably common in the Flint Hills region, in Crawford, Butler, and Lyon Counties.
The frequent dispersal of the Reasor surname in the US suggests that the family has been around for some time, with different branches of the family settling in different areas of the country throughout history.
Variations of the surname Reasor
Reasor is an anglicized spelling of the German surname Rösser, which literally means "horseman". The variants and spellings of this surname include Rässer, Rösser, Rösner, Raisner, Rauscher, Raser, Rauser, Rasure, Roser, Reser, Rayseur, Raeßer, Reisinger, Reisiger, Reaser, Raiser, and Rayzer.
The earliest records of this surname date back to the 17th century, when Hans Stephan Rösser settled in Meckleburg, Germany in 1690. It is believed that the original bearers of this name were horse traders who traveled through the region.
Reasor is a common surname throughout the United States and Canada, although it is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Variants of this surname can also be found in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the Reasor family is often associated with the cities of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. They have had a long-standing presence in those communities, and have established many businesses throughout the years.
The Reasor surname is prevalent throughout the country in many variant spellings, including Raiser, Raser, Reser, Raeßer, Reisinger, and Rauser. While it is thought to have originated in Germany, it does not appear to be one of the more common German surnames.
Famous people with the name Reasor
- Jaden Reasor: an actor and singer who has appeared in multiple short films and was signed to Rocket Productions.
- Claire Reasor: a flutist from the United Kingdom who has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Opera.
- Linda Reasor: an American poet whose works have been featured in various literary journals and magazines.
- Sean Reasor: an American sports journalist and broadcaster who covers the NFL and college football for CBS Sports.
- Kyle Reasor: an American record producer and artist who has worked with a variety of acts including Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber.
- W.H. Reasor: a prominent American banker and philanthropist who founded Reasor’s National Bank in Oklahoma in 1920.
- Mary Reasor: a celebrated American painter who captured the spirit and culture of the rural South in her work.
- Jake Reasor: a former professional basketball player who played for the Chicago Bulls from 1978-1980.
- Paul Reasor: an American painter whose abstract expressionist works are part of major collections at the Whitney Museum in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Herman Reasor: the co-founder of Metro Industries, a successful automotive parts manufacturing company.