Contents [hide]

Reeds History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Reeds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Scotland
Ireland

The origins of the Reeds surname are uncertain. In some instances, it was no doubt derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red," and was a nickname that came to be a surname. Either way, we may conclude that it meant "red-haired" or "ruddy complexioned." 1 2

To confuse matters more, there are also instances where the surname Reeds is thought to be derived from one of various place names, such as Read in Lancashire, and Rede in Suffolk.

Early Origins of the Reeds family

The surname Reeds was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland where the name has been found since the 14th century. Ancient charters show the name as Rufus (Latinized,) records include an Ada Rufus who witnessed resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204; and a William Rufus, who was a juror on an inquest on the lands of Padevinan in 1259. "Gilbert 'le Rede' of Coul was committed to prison and died there in 1296. Red is found as a surname in Aberdeen in 1317, and it is one of the oldest in the parish of Kildrummy. Patrick dictus Rede was on an assize at Rane in 1335, John Reed was collector of tithe in the deaneries of Stormonth and Atholl in 1362, and James Reed was bailie of the burgh of Stirling in 1364. Reeds were at one period a numerous Clan in Kyle. The first of the name there recorded is probably William Rede, son of John Reede. who had a confirmation of the lands and pertinents of Bairskemyn in Kyle in 1375. " 3

For the purposes of Clan identification, the family name Reeds is officially a sept of the Clan Robertson and as such is entitled to the Clan Badge and Crest of the Robertsons.

Early History of the Reeds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reeds research. Another 359 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1335, 1357, 1362, 1364, 1375, 1376, 1439, 1494, 1543, 1558, 1586, 1618, 1624, 1625, 1639, 1641, 1721, 1760, 1778, 1806, 1843 and 1917 are included under the topic Early Reeds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reeds Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ried, Reid, Read, Reed and others.

Early Notables of the Reeds family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Robert Reid (died 1558), Scottish abbot of Kinloss and bishop of Orkney, son of John Reid of Aikenhead, who was killed at Flodden; Thomas Redi, Read or Rhaedus (died 1624), Latin secretary to King James I, second son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; Alexander Rhead or Reid (1586-1641), a Scottish anatomist and surgeon, whose surname is variously spelt Reid, Read, Reade, Rhead, or Rhaedus, the third son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; and Thomas Reid (d. 1625), who was appointed Latin secretary to King James I of...
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reeds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reeds family to Ireland

Some of the Reeds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reeds migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reeds Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mary Reeds, who arrived in Virginia in 1656 4
Richard Reeds, who landed in Virginia in 1663 4

Reeds migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Reeds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Reeds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 5
Harriet Reeds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 5
Sarah Reeds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 5
Mary Ann Reeds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 5
Caroline Reeds, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Reeds (post 1700) +

W. A. Reeds, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1952 6
Travis M. Reeds (b. 1973), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 11th District, 1998 6
Mark Reeds (1960-2015), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey player who played from 1981 to 1989 and later assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators

The Reeds Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortitudine et labore
Motto Translation: By fortitute and exertion.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ORLEANA 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Orleana.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html