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France, cont. on page 2 |
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French Families
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The largest number of Reebs in North America has origins in France.
Immigration began in 1752 and continued with varying intensity until 1920.
Many immigrants from Alsace and Lorraine may have identified themselves as
German, particularly during the period of German rule – 1872-1918. The
majority of these immigrant families go by the surname Rape or derivative. |
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Breitenbach,
Bishofsheim, Dambach la Ville, Bas Rhin, France
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Today’s
Surname: Reeb
1900-1930
Locations: France, Romania, England, USA: Florida, Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and elsewhere.
Comment:
In 1650, this extended Reeb family had four branches living in the
Vosges Mountain villages of Steig, Breitenbach, Ottrott, and Bishofsheim.
From these places, they ventured to other parts of Alsace, western France,
Austro-Hungary and USA. The Austro-Hungarian branch is described elsewhere.
Background: The unknown progenitors (7) of this extended family are
listed on the 1618 census of Kattenholtz (now Chatenois, Bas Rhin, France).
Speculating on name patterns, it seems they are Hans, Gall, Mathias and
Michael. By the mid 1700s family members from each of the branches move to
places that are more productive and better work prospects - Dambach la
Ville, Molsheim and Strasbourg. During the mid to late 1800s most of this
extended family remained in Bishofshein and Molsheim. These Reeb families were mostly vineyard and winery workers in the
18th and early 19th centuries. |
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Dauendorf, Bas
Rhin, France
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Today’s
Surname: Reeb
1900-1930
Locations: France
Comments:
In 1600 there were five branches of this Catholic family living in Dauendorf
and near by Haguenau. Many of these Reebs died during the Thirty Year War.
By the mid 1800s, they were spread throughout much of northern Alsace. No
members of this family are known to have immigrated to America.
Background:
Descendants of Jacob Reeb (1575) are the only known survivors of this family
today. He was village head of Dauendorf in 1600. The male line of the
Haguenau branch died off or moved away by 1700. This family had a variety of
professions and included at least one Napoleonic War soldier/hero. In 1872
after Germany’s annexation of Alsace, a minimum of one family moved and two
individuals moved to Western France. |
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Keskastel Area
Bas Rhin, France
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Today’s
Surnames: Rape, Rappe, Raph, Rapp, Reeb, Reph, Reib and others
1900-1930 Locations: France; USA: Georgia, Idaho, Illinois,
Nebraska, North/South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere
Comment: This family represents the largest number of Reebs in
America. Today, a large portion goes by the surname Rape or one of its
derivates. In addition, many family members live throughout France.
Background: This family is traced back to two related
progenitors: Jacob and Nicolaus who lived during the early 1600s
in the area of Keskastel, Bas Rhin, France. DNA analysis has proven their
relationship.
In 1752, Peter Reeb (1724-1787) was the first of this extended family to
immigrate to America. Brothers, Gustavus, Michael and Nicolaus followed him a few
years later. After spending a number of years in Pennsylvania, Peter and
Gustavus moved to North Carolina where they became known as Rape. Michael’s
branch of the family stayed in PA. Nicolaus at one time lived in Northampton
Co. PA and had at least three sons. His descendents have not been located
and quite possibly are known as Rape, Reap or eve Rieb. From 1800-1910, numerous members of this
Bas Rhin family left France joining their cousins in America. |
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