Surname Reader - Meaning and Origin

Reader: What does the surname Reader mean?

The last name Reader is of British origin and is basically occupational, derived from the task or trade someone in the family line would have been engaged in. It was often given to individuals who held the post of a reader in the church or who were scholars, indicating "one who reads". In earlier centuries, literacy was not as widespread as it is today, so being a reader was a specialized and esteemed position. It’s also possible that Reader was given to those who read out official announcements or proclamations in public places. Like many surnames, it would have been adopted as a way to distinguish individuals with the same first name in a community. As families move or expand, the name would be passed down and carried across generations. Therefore, those carrying the last name Reader today share some connection, however distant, with an ancestor who was known for their reading profession.

Reader: Where does the name Reader come from?

The last name READER is most commonly found in English-speaking countries today. According to the World Names Public Profiler, 1993-2020, the most frequent countries of residence for people with the last name READER are the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Notably, these are all countries where the English language is a primary language spoken by a majority of the population.

Within the United Kingdom, the last name READER is especially prominent in the North West. In this area, the name is particularly common in Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Cumbria. According to the Surname Database, it is the 451st most common surname in the UK, and the 694th most common in England overall.

In the United States, the surname READER is particularly common in Pennsylvania. Other states in which it is found with relative high frequency include New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Michigan. According to public records from Ancestry.com, the name ranked as the 2925th most common surname in the United States in 2020.

The last name READER is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is thought to derive from an old English word meaning "reader" or "warrior of the spear". The original bearer of the name was likely either a reader of holy texts, or a soldier who specialized in spear combat.

Variations of the surname Reader

The surname Reader is thought to have originated in England and is associated with French surnames. Over the years, variations of this surname have emerged, such as: Reeder, Radar, Reeder, Reder, Redar, Reddor, Readar, Reador, Rader, Raidor, Raidur, Rader, Radur, Readur, Rauber, and Rawer.

The surname could have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon words 'road' and 'read', which likely referred to a person who read stories and messages in public. It could also have come from the Middle English word 'read', which meant 'counsel'. In England, the surname was commonly associated with rectors, scholars and priests.

The spelling of this surname can vary depending on the country or language of origin. In British English, it is often spelt Reader, while in American English, it is usually spelt Reder or Reeder. In German, the spelling is often Radar, Reder or Rader. In Dutch, the spelling is Heeding, Reder or Raider. In Scandinavian countries, the spelling is often Redorr.

The surnames Readar and Reade are sometimes also used, and it is also possible to find Reader surnames with hyphenated names such as Reader-Reeder. Finally, Reader is sometimes combined with other surnames, such as Reader-Gauthier or Reader-Jones.

Famous people with the name Reader

• Rebecca Reader: Actress from the United Kingdom. Best known for her television roles in Girlfriends: The Series, Taboo and Summertime.
• Martin Reader: Retired Canadian beach volleyball player. He earned five medals at the Pan American Games, a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2008 Pan American Cup.
• Alison Reader: British medical researcher and epidemiologist. She has researched many topics related to health promotion, most notably her work on the European Tobacco Regulations, which were influential in the UK's introduction of plain cigarette packaging.
• Sharon Reader: American musician and singer-songwriter. She has released several critically acclaimed albums and is an active member of the Nashville music scene.
• John Reader: British geographer and anthropologist. He is best known for his work on connecting cultural and environmental factors to human history.
• Kaitlyn Reader: Canadian figure skater. Winner of the bronze medal at the 2016 Canadian Figure Skating Championships and a two-time Canadian silver medalist.
• Alexander Reader: British actor and director. He is best known for his portrayal of Lord Ascot in the 2007 movie adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride & Prejudice.
• Richard Reader Harris: English entomologist and artist who contributed significantly to the study of the butterflies and moths of the British Isles.
• Peter Reader: New Zealand athlete and sailor. He competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won a bronze medal in the 470 class sailing event.

Other surnames

Reade