rease

Rease is a rare proper noun in English, used primarily as a surname and, less commonly, as a historical or local toponym. It does not appear as a widely used common noun or term with a fixed definition in standard dictionaries.

In onomastics, Rease is often treated as a variant spelling related to Reese or Rhys. These names originate from the Welsh personal name Rhys, traditionally interpreted as meaning “ardor” or “enthusiasm.” The spelling Rease appears in some genealogical and historical records as an alternative form of these surnames, reflecting regional orthographic variation and record-keeping practices in earlier centuries.

Toponymically, Rease is uncommon and typically occurs only as a minor or historical place-name element rather than a widely recognized locale. When it does appear in historical documents, it may refer to small settlements, landholders, or parish identifiers, without distinguishing features that would set it apart as a major geographic name.

In contemporary usage, the spelling Reese is far more prevalent in English-speaking countries, while Rease remains largely of interest to genealogists and scholars studying name variation. See also Reese, Rhys, and Rees for related surname and name-origin discussions.