Reaves

Reaves is a surname of English origin. It is believed to derive from a Middle English occupational name for a dealer or seller of goods, possibly a variation of "reeve," which referred to a manorial official. Alternatively, it could be a topographical name for someone who lived near a river or stream. The name is found in various spellings throughout history, including Reves and Reave.

Notable individuals with the surname Reaves include American professional basketball player Austin Reaves. He plays as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Reaves played college basketball at Wichita State and Oklahoma before declaring for the NBA draft. He has also represented the United States internationally in basketball.

The Reaves surname is present in various English-speaking countries, with a notable concentration in the United States. Genealogical research indicates that early bearers of the name migrated from England to North America during colonial times. The distribution of the surname is not particularly concentrated in any single region, suggesting a spread through family lines over centuries. As with many surnames, its prevalence has fluctuated with population movements and demographic changes.