Map of Wales showing where the Reece arms are recorded
The Reece arms were recorded in Monmouth, c. 1647.
Monmouthshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families were expected to arm and to fight, and fighting households carried shields of their own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Reece arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Monmouth.
Origin & History of the Reece Family in Wales
The surname Reece is a variation of the Welsh name Rhys, which translates to enthusiasm or passion. During the medieval period, it was common for people in Wales to use patronymic naming systems, meaning a person was identified by their father’s name rather than a fixed family surname. As families moved or interacted more with English administration, these names became permanent hereditary surnames. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the town of Monmouth. This area served as a vital border region between Wales and England, making it a place where local Welsh traditions blended with broader British social structures. The presence of the family in Monmouth by 1647 suggests they were part of a settled community during a time of significant political upheaval in Britain. Over time, the spelling evolved into the modern form of Reece, reflecting the phonetic changes that occurred as the name spread beyond its Welsh roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rhys
Derived from the Welsh word meaning enthusiasm or ardor.
This name
ReeceAn anglicized form of a traditional Welsh name signifying passion and zeal.
also spelled
Reese
Rees
Related arms
Reesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Gwent Archives, Monmouth Borough Records, 1647
P.H. Reaney and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
