Reed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Netherlands 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The Reed 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 Reed 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 Reed family

The surname Reed 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 Reed family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reed 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 Reed History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reed Spelling Variations

The name, Reed, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Read, Reid, Reed, Reede, Redd, Reade and others.

Early Notables of the Reed family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

Reed World Ranking

In the United States, the name Reed is the 55th most popular surname with an estimated 303,414 people with that name. 10 However, in Canada, the name Reed is ranked the 682nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,650 people with that name. 11 And in Australia, the name Reed is the 300th popular surname with an estimated 11,863 people with that name. 12 New Zealand ranks Reed as 280th with 2,181 people. 13 The United Kingdom ranks Reed as 183rd with 30,092 people. 14

Migration of the Reed family to Ireland

Some of the Reed 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.


Reed migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. 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." Among the early settlers bearing the Reed surname who came to North America were:

Reed Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Reed Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Reed Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Reed migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Reed Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Reed Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Reed migration to Australia +

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

Reed Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Reed migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Reed Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Reed migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 25
Reed Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Reed (post 1700) +


The Reed 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Reed +
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