Redd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Redd surname is derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red." It is most likely that the name was used as nickname for someone with red hair, before becoming their surname. 1 2
In other instances, the Redd surname no doubt came from some of the places so named in Britain, such as Read, Lancashire, Rede, Suffolk, and Reed in Hertfordshire. 3 4
Early Origins of the Redd family
The surname Redd was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat from early times. One branch was found at Troughend-Ward. "The present house was built in the last century (c. 1700) by EIrington Reed, Esq., who also greatly improved the place by planting, and whose ancestors were settled in the township at a remote date. " 5
Another branch of the family was found at Weston in Suffolk. "Weston Hall, the ancient seat of the family of Rede, a handsome mansion in the Elizabethan style, was partly taken down within a few years, and the remainder converted into a farmhouse." 5
The first record of the family dates back to Saxon times when Leofwine se Reade was listed as an Old English Byname (1016-1020.) Years later, William Red was found in the Pipe Rolls for Gloucestershire in 1176 and William le Red was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1332. In Lancashire, the first record there was that of Hugo le Rede in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1220 and later in Sussex we found Hamo le Reed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296. Later in Sussex, Thomas Read was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. In Hertfordshire, the Curia Regis Rolls include an entry for Ralph de Rede in 1203 and in Suffolk, John de Rede was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 6
The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two entries for the family: Godwin le Rede, Norfolk; and Roger le Rede, Herefordshire. 7 The source Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. included an entry for Robert le Rede, Surrey, Henry III-Edward I. 8
In Somerset, William Red and Robertte Rede were listed 1 Edward III (in the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 9
Early History of the Redd family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Redd research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1385, 1394, 1396, 1397, 1415, 1416, 1502, 1511, 1519, 1541, 1551, 1579, 1587, 1588, 1593, 1600, 1606, 1609, 1617, 1619, 1620, 1624, 1626, 1644, 1669, 1683, 1687, 1692, 1694, 1705, 1715, 1721, 1745, 1758, 1795, 1866, 1868 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Redd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Redd Spelling Variations
The name Redd, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Read, Reid, Reed, Reede, Redd, Reade and others.
Early Notables of the Redd family
Notable amongst the family name during their early history was
- Wilmot Redd (Read, Reed) (died September 22, 1692), was one of the victims of the Salem witch trials of 1692; and George Read of Delaware was one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independ...
Redd Ranking
In the United States, the name Redd is the 2,143rd most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 10
Migration of the Redd family to Ireland
Some of the Redd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Redd migration to the United States +
The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Redd family, or who bore a variation of the surname Redd were
Redd Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Asbell Redd, who landed in Maryland in 1651 11
- George Redd, who landed in Maryland in 1651 11
- John Redd, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1654 11
Redd Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Eliza Redd, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 11
- Adam Redd, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 11
Contemporary Notables of the name Redd (post 1700) +
- Freddie Redd (1928-2021), American hard-bop pianist and composer, best known for writing music to accompany The Connection (1959), a play by Jack Gelber
- Vincent Edward "Vince" Redd (b. 1985), American football defensive lineman
- Lambert Redd (1908-1986), American silver medalist long jumper at the 1932 Summer Olympics
- John Scott Redd (b. 1944), American vice admiral of the United States Navy
- Jasper Redd (b. 1979), American comedian
- Glen Herrscher Redd (1958-2007), American MFL football linebacker
- Dana Redd (b. 1968), American Democratic politician, Mayor of Camden, New Jersey (2010-)
- Shawty Redd, born Demetrius Stewart, an American Grammy nominated record producer, rapper, and songwriter
- Michael Wesley Redd (b. 1979), American professional NBA basketball player, member of the U.S. national basketball team
- Charles Redd, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 2000 12
- ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The Redd 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: Pax copia
Motto Translation: Peace, plenty.
Citations +
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html