He was the elder son of Sir Richard Reynell, 1st Baronet and his wife Hester Beckett, daughter of Randall Beckett of Dublin. He was probably born in Dublin where his father spent most of his career, being in turn member of the House of Commons for Athboy, judge of the Court of King"s Bench (Ireland) and finally Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.
The Reynells were an ancient Devon family with strong links to East Ogwell and Ashburton, Devon. After the Glorious Revolution the elder Sir Richard sat in the House of Commons of England for Ashburton. The son was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Wicklow in 1692, when he appears to have been barely 20 years old.
His father"s mental health failed and he was removed from office in 1695.
From then on the family seem to have largely severed their ties with Ireland. Sir Richard died at Laleham in June 1723.
In contrast to his father, who was described as one of the most remarkable figures in Irish political life of his time, the second Sir Richard has left little mark on history.
