Surname Revels - Meaning and Origin
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Revels: What does the surname Revels mean?
The surname Revels originates from medieval England and is derived from the Old French word "revel" which means "festivity" or "merrymaking". It was often given as a nickname to a person known for their festive spirit or someone who organized or participated frequently in merrymaking and celebratory events. Over time, it evolved as a surname. It is also found in early church registers in the city of London. One of the famous personalities with this last name was Hiram Rhodes Revels, who was the first African American ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Overall, the name is rather unique and not particularly common.
Order DNA origin analysisRevels: Where does the name Revels come from?
The last name Revels is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Southern states such as Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It is also present in smaller numbers in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Appalachia, as well as in some other parts of the world.
The Revels surname is strongly associated with African-American culture, as many African-Americans adopted it during the period of slavery in the United States. During this time, some African-Americans were given the surname Revels after escaping from slavery and creating their own families. The name can be found today among African-American individuals that have family lines from that period, and it continues to be a popular name in African-American communities.
Revels is also found among some white Americans, especially among British-descendant individuals in the South. The discovery of this surname among white people is most likely a result of interracial relationships that occurred during or shortly after the period of slavery in the United States, such as when a white person married a Revels-named African-American or vice versa.
Revels is a noteworthy surname today, as it carries with it historical significance and ties to the African-American history of the United States. As it is found among both African-Americans and white people, it also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all people, regardless of racial background.
Variations of the surname Revels
The Revels surname is an English and French habitational surname derived from the place names in France, Revel and Revels, both derived from the French language. These place names are derived from the Latin word "revellis" meaning "shelter or retreat".
Variants of the surname include Reeve, Reave, Reev, Reive, Reives, Reihl, Reill, Reives and Revies. Other spellings for Revels include Reveall, Reveels, Revele, Revelea, Revell, Revell, Revelle, Revill, Reville, Rëhvl, Revéls, Reves, and Revesl.
In France, the variants Ravail, Ravael, Ravay, Ravaye, and Raviel are derived from the French Revels. Other variants of Revels in France include Raveslin, Rever, Revel, Revellin, and Revil.
In Germany, Revels is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word “rab”, meaning wild, untamed or forest. The variants in Germany are Rabels, Rabus, Revus and Pebus.
In Scotland, the Revels families may have derived from the more ancient spellings Rieve, Rief, Revie and Rovie.
The Scottish-Irish variant is Reveles, and the Irish variant is Mac Con Reibheal, which can be derived from the Gaelic root word “riabh” meaning grey, so it could be assumed that the family was associated with the colour in some way.
The Spanish variant of Revels is Revelo and Rivas.
In the Netherlands, the variants Reesl, Reesel, Rees, Riesel, Reeys and Resel, were mostly used.
In the U.S., variants of Revels include Reeves, Reaves, Reaveson, Rieves, Revils, Rives, Reveal and Revelse.
In Canada, variants of Revels include Revell, Revells, Rivard and Reves.
In Italy, Revels is spelled Revali.
In Switzerland, Revels is spelled Revaz.
Famous people with the name Revels
- Hiram Rhodes Revels: He was a Republican US Senator from Mississippi, the first African American man to serve in the US Congress.
- Moses Levy Revels: He was a freedman from North Carolina who served as a teacher, librarian, and contractor in the Reconstruction South.
- Hiram H. Revels: He was an African American minister, entrepreneur, and leader in Mississippi after the Civil War.
- Judith A. Revels: She is an American dancer, musician, and singer from Kansas City, Missouri.
- Bob Revels: He is a former American professional wrestler who made several appearances in North Carolina's Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.
- Joe Revels: He was an American basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association from 1969 to 1977.
- Jody Revels: She is an American novelist and founder of The Revels School of Writing in Washington, DC.
- Teddy Revels: He is a professional boxer who competed in the Light Welterweight division from 1982 to 1985.
- Mark Revels: He is a professional bowler from North Carolina who won the International Bowling Tour Championship in 2009.
- Phipps H. Revels: He was an African American librarian and historian from North Carolina who created the first archive of African American history in the country.