Surname Assistance

[xito76]

I understand the use of surnames began in Japan in the 1800's.
I hope someone can assist me. During the late Meiji Era our family emigrated from Japan to Puebla, Mexico.
Sadly our Japanese surname was changed to Spanish surname "REYES" because is it came
closest to the original by government officials. Yet, my grandmother who was a 2nd generation Mexican citizen,
always insisted that our surname was a mistake, that the original surname was something like "RAI" or "RHEE".
It sounded in spanish like Rey Or Ree/Rei
Please help. I'm confused is RAI a rare surname?
And Rhee seems to be a Korean immigrant surname, was it at one time considered a Japanese surname?
Sadly, I can't seem to find any information on "R" surnames.
I've only encoutered Reisen and Reizei. Please, what is the correct pronunciation?

[ASHIKAGA]

There are Ryuu, Ryou, Rei, etc. but I don't think they are that common.

[xito76]

Thank you for your responce.

[caster51]

http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/iminshi/meibo/guadolupe/guad.html
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/iminshi/index.htm
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/iminshi/meibo/cuba/meibo_cuba.htm
is there?

some of them went to cuba by way of Mexico
瀧芳松 32 和歌山 ryu or taki
加来　karai?
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/iminshi/meibo/cuba/meibo_cuba.htm

in case of mexico
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/iminshi/iminshikou/iminshikou_03.htm

you should ask here
http://blog.canpan.info/nikkei/

[xito76]

It is very likely. My mother was born in Orizaba which across the gulf from Cuba. At the time it was the main travel port between Mexico and Cuba. My grandmother Aurora once stated that she came from a large extended family. Her mother was FULL Japanese but her birthplace was questionable. Great-Great grandfather (I believe) arrived between 1904-1907 as a Dekasegi to work a sugar plantation in Southeast Mexico. His wifes' name was Hana but his name was changed to "Pablo Reyes". Thank you for your help.
IS RYU a surname or first name?

[pipokun]

The surname, Rai, is rare, but it does exist, the most popular Rai, at least for me, is Rai Sanyo, a thinker in the late Edo period.

Just my guess, but it is likely that the name of your great-great grandfather was more common name such as aRAI, shiRAIshi, hiRAI or whatever and he picked up Reyes for RAI.

It would be the best for you to know where your great-great grandfather/mother came from. It is likely that he/she might have joined a community of Mexican Japanese, and each community is usually based on the origin of birth in Japan.

[Glenski]

Ryu is a first name.
http://www.issendai.com/rpgs/japanese-girls-names-4.shtml

More here.
http://japanese.about.com/library/bljapanesename.htm

[xito76]

I'd like to thank every one for your help, it is very much appreciated.