Surname Rives - Meaning and Origin

Rives: What does the surname Rives mean?

The last name Rives is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "rive", which means "riverbank". The surname was traditionally used as a geographical identifier in medieval France, indicating that the family lived along the riverbank. Over time, they started to be identified by this place-bound name, which eventually evolved into a family surname. Like many other surnames originating from an ancestor's dwelling place, Rives would likely have varied spelling in different regions and among various families. Hence, it may also be seen as Ryves, Rives, or even Reeves in England. Today, people with this surname are found all over the world, but especially in France, Spain, and the United States. The name doesn't necessarily suggest a single familial connection, but rather that these families all had a common geographical origin.

Rives: Where does the name Rives come from?

The last name Rives is typically found today in both the United States and France. In the United States, the Rives surname is common in the states of Maryland, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Concentrations of the name appear more so in Maryland—specifically in the counties of St. Mary’s, Calvert, Washington, and Prince George.—where the name is an early colonial arrival. Records indicate the Rives family arrived in Maryland in the 1740s, while the family in North Carolina appears to have arrived at much later date, settling in the Granville, Warren, and Mecklenburg Counties in the mid-1800s.

In addition to the United States, many individuals with the last name Rives can be found in France. Rives families can trace their roots back to 12th century France. The name is closely tied to the area of Normandy, with many records indicating the presence of the Rives surname in the 16th century. Over the centuries, Rives individuals have settled in various parts of the country, including Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Lyon. Given the global presence of the name, individuals with the last name Rives have likely originated from, and settled in, multiple parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Rives

Rives is a surname of French origin. It is derived from a place in Northern France where the original bearer of the name lived. The variants of this surname include de Rives, Rivies, Rive, Riffes, Rifs, Revies, Rivis, Rivins, Revins and RBevices. All of these variants retain the same pronunciation of Rives.

De Rives is a patronymic form of the surname which indicates the name came from the father’s (or an ancestor’s) first name beginning with the letter “R”. Rivies and Rive are both variations on Rives but spell it slightly differently. Riffes, Rifs and Revies are also similar spellings of the name.

Rivins is a spelling variant which drops the “e” from Rives. Revins and RBevices are alternate spellings of Reves, a variation of Rivins. All of these surnames contain a common origin and have the same sound when spoken. All of these surnames are found in both France and North America.

Famous people with the name Rives

• Lillian Rives: American swimmer, member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
• George Rives: American politician, served as a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.
• Harold Rives: American civil engineer and inventor who developed the first functional long-span suspension bridge.
• John Davis Rives: American lawyer, politician and 4th Presiding Judge on the United States Court of Claims.
• Virginia Rives: American silent film actress, appeared in numerous films between 1912 and 1929.
• Teresa Rives: American actress, known for Unspeakable, Sparkle, and Don’t Let the Door Hit You.
• David Rives: American televangelist, astronomer, author, and the host of Creation in the 21st Century, a weekly television program.
• Richard Rives: American motivational speaker and the founder of the Word of Faith movement.
• Sarah Rives: American actress, appearing in the films The Peril and Abigail and the King.
• W. L. Rives: American soldier who served as a colonel during the American Civil War and was instrumental in helping end slavery in the US.

Other surnames

RiverRiveraRivers