Show ContentsReed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Reed Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Reed

What does the name Reed mean?

The origins of the Reed 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 Reed is thought to be derived from one of various place names, such as Read in Lancashire, and Rede in Suffolk.

Early Origins of the Reed family

The surname Reed 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 Reed 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 Reed family

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

Reed Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Reed family

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 Scotland in 1618. He is best known for...
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reed Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reed World Ranking

the United States, the name Reed is the 55th most popular surname with an estimated 303,414 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Reed is ranked the 682nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,650 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Reed is the 300th popular surname with an estimated 11,863 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Reed as 280th with 2,181 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Reed as 183rd with 30,092 people. 8

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 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.

Reed migration to the United States +



Reed Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Esdras Reed, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1640 10
  • Amey Reed, who landed in Maryland in 1663 10
  • Barbary Reed, who landed in Maryland in 1665 10
  • Ebenezar Reed, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 10
Reed Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Charles Reed, who landed in North Carolina in 1701 10
  • Anne Reed, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 10
  • Alexander Reed, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 10
  • Anna Lydia Reed, aged 11, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
  • Hans Jacob Reed, aged 45, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Reed Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Catherine Reed, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 10
  • Isaac H Reed, who landed in Texas in 1835 10
  • Christopher Reed, who arrived in New York in 1836 10
  • Miss Grace Reed, (b. 1813), aged 24, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 11
  • Henry Reed, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reed migration to Canada +

Reed Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Abigal Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • David Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Elisha Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • George Reed, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Mr. Carlow Ludwell Reed U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 412 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Reed Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Reed, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Edwin" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Isabella Reed, aged 22, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor Gordon" in 1834
  • Mr. Nicholas Reed, (b. 1823), aged 32, Cornish labourer, from St. Ives, Cornwall, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 13
Reed Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Klara Angell Reed, Norwegian settler who sailed aboard the ship "Stavangerfjord" arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1951

Reed migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Reed, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Third Fleet
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Reed Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Reed, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Thomas Reed, (b. 1801), aged 18, Irish labourer who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 3rd October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. John Reed, (b. 1796), aged 24, English brick layer who was convicted in Sussex, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 16
  • Thomas Reed, Welsh convict from Brecon, Wales, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Thomas Reed, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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
  • James Reed, aged 34, a shepherd, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Mary Reed, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Mr. James Reed, (b. 1806), aged 34, British shepherd travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 19
  • Mrs. Mary Reed, (b. 1814), aged 26, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 19
  • James Reed, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. 20
Reed Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Elizabeth Reed, aged 19, who landed in St Christopher in 1634 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Reed (post 1700) +

  • Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed (1942-2013), American rock musician and songwriter, founding member of The Velvet Underground and best remembered for his song Walk on the Wild Side
  • Veda Louise Reed (1934-2025), American artist, attended the Memphis Academy of Art (renamed the Memphis College of Art) for fashion design, however she switched to painting
  • Erma Pauline Reed (b. 1922), née Boyd, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Clarke Thomas Reed (1928-2024), American businessman and politician from Greenville, Mississippi
  • Hubert F. Reed (1936-2024), American NBA basketball player born in Harrah, Oklahoma
  • George Robert Reed CM, SOM (1939-2023), American college football and Canadian Football League player
  • David Benson Reed (1927-2023), American first Bishop of Colombia and the sixth Bishop of Kentucky in the Episcopal Church
  • Willis Reed Jr. (1942-2023), American basketball player, coach and general manager who spent his professional playing career (1964–1974) with the New York Knicks, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
  • John Burwell "Jack" Reed (1933-2022), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees (1961-1963), popularly known as Mantle's "caddie."
  • ... (Another 43 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Melvin W Reed (1966-1985), American Private from Tacoma, Washington, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
  • Mr. George Percival Reed (1921-1941), Australian Writer from Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 22
  • Mr. Hector L Reed (b. 1916), English Corporal serving for the Royal Marine from Hayling Island, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23
  • Mr. William Samuel Reed, British Chief Warrant Officer , who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
  • Mr. William Reed, British Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 25
  • ... (Another 9 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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

Suggested Readings for the name Reed +

  • Dunkin-Reid and Garner-McGraw-Mobley Families of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama by Dean Smith Cress.
  • The Read Family History, 1740 to 1978 by Mildred Edgington.
  • The Reads, an American Saga by Dorothy Lutomski.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. 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)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  10. 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)
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/castle-forbes
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  22. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  23. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  24. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html

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