reeve

Reeve is a historical English administrative official in medieval times, responsible for local governance, tax collection, and judicial matters within a manor or village. Reeves acted as a liaison between the lord of the manor and the peasantry, supervising tenants, maintaining roads, and presiding over local courts. The term derives from Old English gerefa, meaning a governor or steward, and was used in various local forms, including the shire-reeve, a precursor to the modern sheriff.

As a surname, Reeve originates as an occupational name for someone who held a reeve’s duties. It is borne by numerous individuals, including the American actor Christopher Reeve (1952–2004), best known for his portrayal of Superman.

In some regions, particularly in historical or rural contexts in the United Kingdom and parts of Canada, the title reeve designates the head of a local government or township council, similar in function to a mayor; many jurisdictions have replaced the title with mayor in modern usage.

As a verb, to reef means to thread a rope, wire, or cable through a hole, conduit, or series of pulleys; reeving describes the process itself, a term frequently used in sailing, rigging, and mechanical rope work.

In literature, The Reeve’s Tale is one of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, recounting events involving a city official known as the Reeve. The term also appears in various historical and cultural contexts as a surname and title.